I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, Friendship was one of best, if most uncomfortable, experiences I’ve had with anything on the 2025 movie schedule. The great A24 movie about a middle-aged man trying to find fulfillment and companionship is both a hilarious dark comedy and something more akin to a psychological thriller. Since revisiting Tim Robinson’s latest theatrical effort with my HBO Max subscription, I’ve been digging around the internet looking at all kinds of theories.

From theories about the story being told from an unreliable narrator to certain aspects of the movie being fantasy, there’s been a lot to break down as of late. But I also stumbled across a fan theory on Reddit that makes this movie even crazier and a lot more uncomfortable. Let me explain…

There's A Theory Going Around Suggesting Friendship's Craig Isn't Steven's Dad

When bouncing around the A24 subreddit, I stumbled upon a post arguing that Steven Waterman (Jack Dylan Grazer) isn’t actually Craig Waterman’s (Tim Robinson) son in Friendship. The user pointed out that in the party scene after Craig’s wife, Tami Waterman (Kate Mara), comes home after being lost in the sewer, she and her son are seen embracing her ex-boyfriend Devon (Josh Segarra), instead of her husband.

Revisiting the scene, I can totally see where this theory comes from, as Steven looks and acts more like Devon than his own dad, and the two never really seem to bond, especially after Tami goes missing.

How That Reveal Would Make Friendship Even More Bonkers And Uncomfortable

Watching this scene after reading about this theory makes those relationships, and the movie in general, even more bonkers and uncomfortable. It's pretty much a two-hour cringe fest with one unnerving scene after another, including some that are straight-up insane (the gun scene, that whole soap scene, etc.), and this just adds another layer of uneasiness and confusion to the story.

Now I’ve been fixed on wondering whether Craig himself thinks that Steven is his son, or if he believes that Devon is the father — remember, Devon and Steven do look alike and really seem to jive — or if those notions are all just a manifestation of the character's stress and anxiety affecting what we're seeing.

Friendship's Director Has Even Addressed The 'Unintentional' Situation

Whenever I come across some wild fan theory, I try to make sense of it myself and then go and see whether the filmmaker has responded to such guesswork That was the case with Friendship, which brought me to an interview with Movie Maker where writer and director Andrew DeYoung addressed the whole situation about Craig and Steven’s father-son relationship. At first, I expected DeYoung to say it was all part of the plan, but the opposite happened, as he pointed out:

Well, it looks like it’s not some “read between the lines” situation for the theory about Steven’s father, but as DeYoung pointed out, it does add another layer to this already wild movie.

Even though we’ll probably never know if Craig is Steven’s dad or not, the inclusion of the party scene and other moments between the two characters only help make this an even crazier and more uncomfortable experience than the average movie viewing. It’s one I won’t forget, no matter how much I try.

With The Spiderwick Chronicles TV adaptation here, viewers have had a chance to see the mythical creatures of Tony DiTerilizzi and Holly Black’s popular book series on their small screens. When CinemaBlend spoke to the main cast of the record-breaking Roku series, we talked with them about which of the species featured in the series that they would want to enter their own realities.

There are a ton of fun responses from The Spiderwick Chronicles cast, but the most popular answer goes to Jack Dylan Grazer’s Thimbletack. He’s the Spiderwick Estate’s resident Brownie, which is a fairy who guards the mansion. When angered, Thimbletack can transform into a nasty Boggart. Here’s what Alyvia Alyn Lind said of her pick:

Alyvia Alyn Lind, who plays Calliope, was not alone in her answer. Mychala Lee said this:

Lee, who plays Mallory Grace in The Spiderwick Chronicles, had a lot of good things to say about Grazer’s voice skills in the series. Yet, when the cast was actually on set, they did not get to perform with the Shazam! and IT actor. They acted against a puppet with another person on set reading Thimbletack’s lines. At the time of the interview, Lee told us that they had only barely met Grazer a couple weeks beforehand. When we spoke to Grazer, here was his pick:

Since the actor had already spent so much time playing Thimbletack, he wanted to choose another route when it came to his thoughts on adopting a mythical creature from The Spiderwick Chronicles. During the CinemaBlend interview, Grazer also contrasted his take on the character to that of Martin Short, who voiced the role in the 2008 version. Here’s what Noah Cotrell said about his own pick:

Cottrell plays one of the Grace twins, Simon, whereas Lyon Daniels plays Jared. Here’s what Daniels thought of:

Ah, there are so many possibilities in this fantastical universe! The series recently became The Roku Channel’s No. 1 premiere in history within its first weekend on the platform. The series also stars Christian Slater as Mulgarath and Joy Bryant as the Grace kids’ mom, Helen.

The Spiderwick Chronicles television series was initially produced for Disney+ before the streaming service decided to drop it, even after it had been filmed. Roku ended up saving the series and it can now be watched for free on its platform, The Roku Channel. Stay tuned on what other 2024 TV premiere dates are on the way here on CinemaBlend.

The #1 New York Times bestselling series The Spiderwick Chronicles has been adapted once again, this time as a streaming series. Since it follows a 2008 movie version, there’s of course sure to be comparisons among fans between the two. When CinemaBlend spoke to the show’s new Thimbletack actor, Jack Dylan Grazer, he shared his take on following Martin Short’s performance in the same role.

Thimbletack is a key creature in The Spiderwick Chronicles’ who regularly interacts with the Grace children following them moving into the Spiderwick estate and learning about an invisible world full of mythical creatures. When speaking to Jack Dylan Grazer about whether he watched the 2008 movie before putting his own fingerprint on the franchise, here’s what he told us:

Martin Short is a national treasure in the world of comedy (even if not everyone agrees), so obviously he’s not the easiest actor to follow when it comes to reimagining a role. According to Grazer, who memorably played Eddie Kaspbrak in IT and Freddy Freeman in the Shazam! movies, he originally went into the vocal booth ready to do a version of Thimbletack that was closer to Short’s version. However, in this take of the series, they decided to make Thimbletack a teenager, so he threw that out pretty quickly. As you can see by the below side-by-side, the two Thimbletacks are rather different:

This version of The Spiderwick Chronicles is executive produced by the original authors of the series, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, but does take some liberties to update the books for television and two decades following the book’s original publication. Along with Jack Dylan Grazer voicing the role of Thimbletack, Christian Slater stars as Mulgarath and Joy Bryant plays the mother of the Grace children who are played by Lyon Daniels, Noah Cottrell, and Mychala Lee.

The Spiderwick Chronicles series was originally produced to go on Disney+ before the streaming service decided to no longer move forward with it, which didn’t make a ton of sense because at that point it had already been filmed. A few months later, Roku rescued the series from its place in the invisible world. You can watch the entire first season of The Spiderwick Chronicles now for free on The Roku Channel. And check out what other 2024 TV premieres are heading to streaming and cable next here on CinemaBlend.

The latest DC Studios movie Shazam: Fury of the Gods rekindled our relationship with the “Shazamily,” and gave more scenes to Super Mary star Grace Caroline Currey and Billy Batson’s foster brother, Freddy Freeman. In fact, one of the main selling points (in my opinion) for the DC sequel is the comedic chemistry shared between Jack Dylan Grazer (as Freddy) and Djimon Hounsou, once again playing the wizard who granted Shazam (Zachary Levi) his powers. There’s a subplot that teams Freddy and the Wizard on a side mission through Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and it was during these sequences that Grazer came up with an improvised laugh that he fought hard to keep in, because it made Hounsou laugh. 

At one point during Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Freddy and the Wizard find themselves imprisoned by the Daughters of Atlas, played by the royal trio of Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler. And while digging around in the dirt seeking for a way out of their prison cell, Freddy wonders if he has discovered a tooth… which naturally freaks him out. Only, this line wasn’t in the script. As Grazer noted to CinemaBlend during our recent interview:

It is a funny line, one of many that Jack Dylan Grazer gets in this sequel. Because Helen Mirren’s character steals his Shazam powers away from Freddy early, Grazer gets to play the powered-down version of the character for longer stretches, which gives him time to expand on that unexpected chemistry he ends up having with Hounsou. 

And as I mentioned to Jack Dylan Grazer, the scene resonated so strongly with David Sandberg, he used the tooth moment as the sketch that accompanied the young actor’s credit in the final moments of the film. Of all the scenes that Sandberg could have selected for Grazer, he chose the prison-tooth line. It’s a funny improvisation, and one I’ll personally remember long after Shazam: Fury of the Gods has come and gone.  

Which might happen sooner than expected. The box office for Shazam: Fury of the Gods wasn’t really what the studio was hoping to see, meaning the end-credits scenes that connect the DC hero to the JSA probably isn’t going to pay off in the DC Universe moving forward. Some of this might have to do with the controversy surrounding The Rock’s reported refusal to have Zachary Levi’s Shazam cameo in Black Adam. And it could just be that DC fans are ready for new beginnings, with the slate that James Gunn and Peter Safran recently announced. 

Stay up to date on all of the upcoming DC movies by bookmarking this guide and checking it often.

The DC Extended Universe has had a wild life in theaters, full of peaks and valleys. And while co CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are crafting the next ten years of content, a new movie has arrived in theaters in the form of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Although one of the leading actors seemingly accidentally spilled an Aquaman 2 cameo while doing press for the DC sequel.

Young actor Jack Dylan Grazer became a well-known face thanks to his performances in Shazam!, Andy Muschietti’s IT , and the Disney animated blockbuster Luca. He recently reprised his role as Freddy Freeman in the sequel Fury of the Gods (check out the reviews here). When speaking with Fandom Entertainment, he spoke about Gal Gadot’s cameo, and might have where Wonder Woman will pop up next. In his words:

Well, my mind is blown. While Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3 was officially scrapped by the studio, it’s fascinating to learn that Gal Gadot will seemingly have two major DC cameos on the big screen. Could this mean she’ll have a future in the reformed DC Universe? It seems hopeful, but we’ll just have to wait for the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to find out if Jack Dylan Grazer’s comments end up coming to fruition.

Gal Gadot’s cameo in Shazam! Fury of the Gods was spoiled thanks to the movie’s trailers. As we got close to the sequel’s release, footage of Wonder Woman speaking with the cast soon made its way online. The timing of this sequence felt significant since it’s unclear what’s going to happen with Gadot’s DC franchise. 

James Gunn and Peter Safran were given the keys to the DC Universe in October, but there were three major movies already on the way (not including the scrapped Batgirl flick): Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and The Flash. The latter project is expected to course-correct the franchise’s official timeline, making way for the changes Gunn and Safran are planning. But there are countless questions about how this will all shake out.

Wonder Woman was one of the first superheroes to show up in the DC Universe as we know it, with Gal Gadot making a strong first impression with her role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Her solo movie Wonder Woman was one of the franchise’s first critical and box office hits, seemingly showing what the franchise was capable of. But the sequel 1984 left much to be desired, and Patty Jenkins’ threequel was ultimately cancelled.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is in theaters now. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The DC Extended Universe has had a wild tenure in theaters full of peaks and valleys. The franchise is expanding thanks to the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which is in theaters this weekend. The original movie famously could have included a cameo by Henry Cavill, which ended up falling through. But Shazam’s stars told CinemaBlend why the headless Superman joke actually worked in the 2019 movie... and fans also weighed in.

During Shazam!’s credits scene, where Zachary Levi's title character surprises Freddy Freeman at school with a visit from Superman himself. But since the Cavill cameo didn’t work out, it ended up being a body double whose face is not visible. CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell asked actors  Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer about that sequence ahead of the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and they both actually agreed they liked it. Angel also shared how this might be helpful as James Gunn and Peter Safran are re-shaping the DCEU. The Billy Batson actor put it:

Points were made. While the first Shazam! movie was made many years before the recent shakeup in leadership at DC studios, the fact that Henry Cavill didn’t appear might actually help the franchise moving forward. Namely because he’s officially out as Superman, with James Gunn set to direct his own new Superman story in the official timeline.

You can see Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer speak about the Superman cameo in Shazam! below. They’re clearly super enthusiastic about the growing DC franchise, with Grazer doing his own unique impression of Henry Cavill in the process. Check it out:

Those looking to get their DC fix will no doubt be pleased that Shazam! Fury of the Gods is finally in theaters. Reviews have been pretty positive, which seems like a good sign for the future of the DC franchise. Although it should be interesting to see how it ultimately performs at the box office, especially since the shared universe is in such a state of flux.

While it remains to be seen if another Shazam! movie is coming from Warner Bros., the cast and crew seem pretty hopeful about the future. Zachary Levi is committed to playing the title character for as long as the studio has him, although Black Adam being put on pause makes their crossover feel like it’s never going to happen. Fans weighed in on Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer's thoughts about that scrapped Superman cameo, with one user tweeting:

That's a pretty fair point. Obviously the Superman scene in Shazam! was originally meant to reference Henry Cavill, with his signature suit being worn by the body double. But since we never actually saw the Enola Holmes actor, technically the franchise could do some retconning.

Since a new Superman movie is coming together, the ambiguous nature of that Shazam! cameo might leave things open for the franchise to remain in the new version of the cinematic universe. Another fan pointed that out while agreeing with Asher Angel, posting:

The final trailers revealed that Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman has a cameo in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which is yet another fascinating wrinkle in this situation. Patty Jenkins’ threequel was also scrapped when DC got new leadership, so even Gadot’s future is unclear. There’s just so many questions surrounding this transitional period.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. Hopefully we get more information about the DCEU sooner rather than later. 

Shazam! and Euphoria are two projects I have never thought about at the same time, because they couldn’t be more different. However, both have become major parts of the zeitgeist and had great impacts on audiences. Turns out, Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Freddy Freeman in Shazam! and its sequel Fury of the Gods, actually had to pick between the two projects. He ended up turning down a role in Euphoria so he could join the DC universe, and he explained why he’s “glad” he passed on the hit HBO drama. 

While talking about how Jack Dylan Grazer auditioned for and didn’t get parts in projects like Mid90s and City on Fire, he also brought up a role that he had secured but then had to step away from. The young actor went into detail about almost being Ashtray on Euphoria, but then passed on it because of Shazam! on the Zach Sang Show, saying:

It’s really wild to think that Ashtray was almost played by Jack Dylan Grazer, because Javon Walton is that character in my mind, and Grazer is Freddy. The Shazam! star went on to explain why he was glad he turned down the offer to join the Euphoria cast, saying: 

He’s right, sort of, Ashtray does seemingly die in Season 2 of Euphoria. To recap: Walton’s character and Fez were caught by the FBI in the finale. There is a shootout in the apartment, and Ash ends up with a red dot on his head, the camera turns away and we hear a gunshot. So, while it seems safe to assume he’s no longer alive, Ashtray’s survival is one of the biggest questions about Euphoria’s second season. 

One character who is 100% not dead though is Freddy Freeman. Grazer went on to talk about how much he loves Shazam!, and how badly he wanted to be in the DC universe. The young actor even said he grew up with DC, and that Batman was his “favorite dude” growing up. It also seems like the It star has a blast making these movies and loves his castmates. Also, he’s also perfect for Freddy, if you watch one interview with Jack Dylan Grazer that point will become abundantly clear because they are both lovable, chatty, funny guys. 

It seems like everything worked out the way it was supposed to regarding Jack Dylan Grazer picking between Shazam! and Euphoria. While Javon Walton is the perfect person to play Ashtray, Grazer has gone on to prove he is one of the hilarious scene-stealers of the Shazam! movies. Not to mention, “Freddie Freeman will never die,” according to the actor, so the decision to go with the DC movie gave him a character that has lasted longer (as far as we know), and there will always be a chance for him to reprise the role in upcoming DC projects. 

You can see Jack Dylan Grazer return as Freddy Shazam! Fury of the Gods when the movie hits theaters on March 15, you can also check out his performance in the first Shazam! as well as Walton’s performance in Euphoria with an HBO Max subscription.   

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” stars Zachary Levi (Shazam), Rachel Zegler (Anthea), Lucy Liu (Kalypso), Asher Angel (Billy Batson) and Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman) discuss their new DC film in this interview with CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell. Find out some fun behind-the-scenes stories, their thoughts on Henry Cavill’s Superman no-show in “Shazam!” (2019) and more. Plus, Rachel Zegler talks about the most remarkable part, so far, of being a Snow White.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:15 - Rachel Zegler Offers Support After Sean Was Outfit-Shamed
00:42 - Lucy Liu Is Amazed By The State Of Visual Effects Now Compared To Charlie’s Angels
01:24 - Rachel Zegler Initially Skeptical Of Anthea’s Powers, Wanted Of A WandaVision Flair
02:52 - Zachary Levi Loved Getting His Ass Kicked By Helen Mirren
03:49 - The Improvised Line Jack Dylan Grazer Loved So Much Because It Made Djimon Hounsou Laugh
04:55 Lucy Liu Explains Her Grounded Approach To Acting In Comic Book Movies
05:35 - Zachary Levi Reflects On Shazam Fans' Reaction To His Casting
06:41 - Jack Dylan Grazer Compares DC Fans To Stephen King Fans, And The Author’s Supporters Might Not Love This
07:50 - The Blowback of 'Shazam’ (2019)'s Superman Cameo Scene, And Why Some of The Stars Think It Was Actually A Good Thing Henry Cavill Didn’t Appear
08:48 - Asher Angel Reveals His Favorite 'Shazam' Scene
09:35 - Why Rachel Zegler Can’t Handle Disney Parks Since Being Cast As Snow White
10:07 - That Time Rachel Zegler Got Stalked By Paparazzi Lurking In The Woods In Hopes Of Photographing Her New Snow White Dress

Fandoms. Movie franchises and stars need them, in order to make sure their work is seen by and spread to the largest possible audience. They are the people who turn up for panels at conventions, spend a lot of money to cosplay as your character, and even wage online social media campaigns to get the original cut of your superhero movie released. OK, that’s basically just the Zack Snyder fandom. But there can be a downside to fandom as well, because everyone has an opinion, and they aren’t always going to be positive. So when Shazam star Jack Dylan Grazer opened up about his experience with the DC Comics fandom, he showered them with praise… while casting a little shade at another opinionated fandom. 

Jack Dylan Grazer’s only 19, but he already has some impressive film credits on his resume. He’s likely best known for playing Freddy Freeman in the original Shazam and its upcoming sequel, Shazam: Fury of the Gods. But he also played a pivotal role in the two-part film adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. Grazer played the younger version of Eddie Kaspbrak, a momma’s boy who’s babied (and thinks he’s fragile) but comes through in the clutch when The Losers Club states down Pennywise the Clown. I can’t watch this scene without suffering severe trauma, still to this day.

“Time to float!” No thank you, Mr. Pennywise, sir. Jack Dylan Grazer returned for IT: Chapter Two, even though other actors came on board to play the older version of The Losers Club. During a recent conversation with Grazer about his experience with DC fans, however, he suggested that he might have experienced some blowback from dedicated Stephen King readers, as he told CinemaBlend his opinion on comic-book junkies:

To be honest, it was a surprise to hear that Jack Dylan Grazer might have received any flak from Stephen King fans over his contributions to IT. The kids who were cast as The Losers Club in the adaptation generally were very well received, because the casting for the important roles was spot on. And even when the adults cast was added – including James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader – fans seemed to be into the choices made by director Andy Muschietti. So I wonder, personally, where that “angry side” made itself known to Jack Dylan Grazer. Or, maybe he just had a better experience with DC fans? Anything is possible.

The next Shazam movie opens in theaters on March 17. It’s the latest in a string of upcoming DC Films, which are building up to a new world of DC stories that will be presided over by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Keep it here while we continue to track all of those films. 

In 2019, the DC Comics superhero formerly known as Captain Marvel finally scored his own feature-length film eight decades after he first appeared in the pages of Whiz Comics #2. Shazam! was met with with a lot of critical praise and went on to make $366 million at the worldwide box office, so New Line Cinema swiftly greenlit a sequel. By DC FanDome 2020, the project once known as Shazam! 2 was officially titled Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and it’s assembled an impressive cast.

Although the Shazam! mid-credits scene teased an alliance between Mark Strong’s Doctor Sivana and the super-intelligent caterpillar known as Mister Mind, it’s since been revealed they will not appear in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (unless the duo is secretly cameoing). Instead, the Shazam family will face new threats in the sequel, but before we discuss them, let’s go over the familiar faces who are returning for the sequel.

Asher Angel/Zachary Levi

Hey, it wouldn’t be a Shazam! movie without our central protagonist, Billy Batson, played in regular form by Asher Angel and in superhero form by Chuck’s Zachary Levi. The character was selected by the wizard also called Shazam to be his new champion millennia after his previous champion, Black Adam, became corrupted (we’ll meet that Dwayne Johnson-portrayed anti-hero in summer 2022). But along with becoming a superhero, Billy also embraced his new family during Shazam!, and during the battle with Sivana and the Seven Deadly Sins, he shared his amazing abilities with his foster siblings. Now they’re superheroes just like him, so he won’t have to deal with the villains who surface in Shazam! Fury of the Gods alone.

Jack Dylan Grazer/Adam Brody

After being transformed into a superpowered adult, Billy sought the help of his new foster brother, Jack Dylan Grazer’s Freddy Freeman, expert on all things superhero-related, on getting the hang of these powers. Thanks to Freddy’s videos, Billy in his mighty adult form became a celebrity in Philadelphia, although the two boy’s friendship briefly became strained when Billy started irresponsibly using his powers, both to earn money and not prioritizing the well-being of innocents near him. Luckily, not only did these two end up reconciling, but like the other siblings, Freddy became Shazam-ified, with The O.C.’s Adam Brody playing his adult self. It was especially nice to see Freddy, who requires a crutch to walk in his normal form, was the first of the newly-minted members of the Shazam Family to start flying. It was also great to see Brody in superhero garb after he missed out on playing The Flash in the scrapped movie Justice League: Mortal.

Grace Fulton

The eldest member of the Shazam Family, Grace Fulton’s Mary Bromfield was applying to CalTech when we first met her in Shazam! and later on she was accepted. However, this academic institution was on the other side of the country, and Mary was saddened at the prospect of being so far away from her family. Since Mary’s back for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, it’s a good bet that if she is attending college, it’s somewhere close to home since she’s still battling the forces of evil with her siblings. Although Hawaii 5-0’s Michelle Borth played Mary’s Shazam-ified form in the first Shazam! movie, Fulton is pulling double duty as both civilian and superhero Mary in Fury of the Gods.

Faithe Herman/Meagan Good

Faithe Herman’s Darla Dudley was the second person to learn that Billy Batson could turn into Shazam, and while she has a penchant for spoiling secrets, she managed to keep mum on this until Mary figured it out herself. Think Like A Man’s Meagan Good was cast to play the superhero version of Darla, and did a great job emulating the girl’s enthusiasm and love for her family. Darla also got the hang of super speed… well, quickly, upon being bestowed with the Shazam magic.

Ian Chen/Ross Butler

Like his comic book counterpart, Ian Chen’s Eugene Choi knows his way around computers, to the point that he was able to find the address of Billy Batson’s biological mother and learn that Billy’s father was in prison. Upon becoming a superhero, the adult Eugene was played 13 Reasons Why’s Ross Butler, and was the first of Billy’s siblings who learned how to conjure lightning.

Jovan Armand/D.J. Cotrona

The shyest of Billy Batson’s foster siblings, Jovan Armand Pedro Peña was the one who spotted Billy’s discarded notebook chronicling his search for his mother. Pedro was also working out to get “swole,” making it especially fitting that after going through the Shazam transformation, he was the one who relied chiefly on super strength. G.I. Joe: Retaliation’s D.J. Cotrona played the adult Pedro, marking his return to the DC Comics space after he nearly played Superman in Justice League: Mortal.

Djimon Hounsou

Guardians of the Galaxy’s Djimon Hounsou starred in Shazam! as the wizard Shazam, who was once part of the Council of Wizards at the Rock of Eternity. However, after the other members were killed by the Seven Deadly Sins freed by Black Adam, Shazam imprisoned his former champion and spent centuries searching for someone pure of heart to inherit his powers. Thaddeus Sivana was one of the candidates, but when the boy became tempted by the Eye of Sin, the wizard sent him back. Decades later, and after the adult Sivana stole the eye, Shazam chose Billy as his new champion and swiftly crumbled to dust soon after. Hounsou is reprising the role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and judging from the trailer, rather tha  the wizard Shazam’s spirit mentoring the heroes from the afterlife or appearing through flashbacks, it looks as though he's straight up been brought back to life.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren has scored action cred thanks to her work in the RED movies and the Fast & Furious franchise, and now she’s jumping into the superhero movie genre with Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Mirren will play Hespera, one of the daughters of Atlas, from whom Billy and his siblings gain their enhanced stamina. The behind-the-scenes featurette for the sequel that screened at 2021’s DC FanDome showed Hespera and Kalypso (more on her soon) in a museum on Earth and causing mayhem on a street, so it seems as if they’re searching for an artifact on our world and don’t mind unleashing some destruction in the process. What is this artifact? What do they intend to do with it? It’ll be a while before those questions are answered. 

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu also knows her way around the action world from the original Charlie’s Angels movies and Kill Bill: Volume 1, while in more recent years, she starred as Joan Watson in the CBS series Elementary. Liu’s Kalypso will be causing trouble alongside Helen Mirren’s Hespera in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, but we won’t just see them on Earth. In addition to revisiting the Rock of Eternity, we’ll also visit places like the Library of Eternity and the Realm of the Gods in the sequel, and monsters like  minotaurs, harpies and dragons will be on display. It stands to reason we’ll learn at least a little bit about Hespera and Kalypso’s upbringing in Fury of the Gods, namely how they ended up on the antagonistic path.

Rachel Zegler

The third of Atlas' daughters is named Anthea, and she’ll be played by Rachel Zegler, who made her film debut in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake. Between Shazam! Fury of the Gods and leading Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Zegler has a bright future ahead of her in Hollywood. It is worth noting that we don’t know yet if Zegler’s character in Fury of the Gods will be a villain like Hespera and Kalypso, or if she’s walking down a different path.

Cooper Andrews

In the first act of Shazam!, Billy Batson was placed in a group home run by Victor and Rosa Vásquez, who each had their own experience with the foster care system. Nevertheless, Billy kept looking for his biological mother, and after a sad reunion with her where he learned she deliberately gave him up, Billy realized his new family is where he truly belonged. The Walking Dead’s Cooper Andrews played Victor, and he’ll be back for Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Marta Milans

It’d be pretty weird for Victor to appear in Shazam! Fury of the Gods without Rosa, but luckily, we don’t have to worry about that. No Tomorrow’s Marta Milans will reprise Rosa in the sequel. Since the parents didn’t learn in Shazam! that their foster children became superheroes, hopefully they learn that in this new movie. There’s only so much sneaking around these kids can do before they finally reveal the truth.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods will work its magic in theaters on December 16, 2022. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more news about this and other upcoming DC Comics movies.

Although the weekend box office numbers certainly echo the name Dune over and over considering the massive opening debut of Denis Villeneuve’s movie, which led to the sequel being officially greenlit by Warner Bros, there was another new movie that hit theaters this past weekend: Ron’s Gone Wrong. The animated sci-fi family film starring the voice talents of Zach Galifianakis and Jack Dylan Grazer received great reviews overall and an “A” Cinemascore by moviegoers. So, could it get a sequel too? 

When CinemaBlend spoke to the Ron’s Gone Wrong filmmakers prior to its release about if they imagine Barney and his malfunctioning bot Ron returning for a sequel, co-director Jean-Philippe Vine shared where their heads were at with it. In Vine’s words: 

It sounds like if there’s an audience for it, Ron’s Gone Wrong could very well continue past this first adventure. The filmmakers have already started coming up with some ideas for the story to continue. Unfortunately, Ron’s Gone Wrong had a less than impressive opening weekend in theaters with a $7.3 million domestic opening and $17 million worldwide gross so far. In comparison, The Addams Family 2 made $17 million in its domestic opening weekend alone and has made $75 million worldwide. 

In contrast to the Addams Family sequel, Ron’s Gone Wrong is an original IP that came out at a time when family movies are generally finding more success on streaming than theaters. When Ron’s Gone Wrong hits digital, it’s possible it could grow a much larger following than it currently has, perhaps leading to a sequel down the line. Ron’s Gone Wrong is also the first movie for British animated studio Locksmith Animation, which was distributed by 20th Century Studios via Walt Disney Studios. 

SPOILERS are ahead for Ron’s Gone Wrong for the remainder of the article. 

Ron’s Gone Wrong ends with Barney’s b-bot Ron being uploaded into the cloud and all of the devices being reprogrammed to be like him. Instead of the tech being based on an algorithm that helps the kids befriend people with common interests, these b-bots inspire more organic (albeit more chaotic) friendships. By the end of the movie, Barney had to give up Ron to the cloud, but he in turn made some real friendships, thus surviving middle school. 

Hear me out: I would like to see a Ron’s Gone Wrong sequel when Barney is older, either going off to college or an adult in his 20s. Perhaps something else goes wrong with the b-bots years after Barney’s initial journey with him, and Marc reaches out to him to help out with another situation to fix the b-bots. Perhaps over time, the in-the-cloud Ron has begun to malfunction again because their actual friendship has died off and Barney will have to get in touch with his childhood again to help save the world. 

That’s just my rough pitch, but the Ron’s Gone Wrong filmmakers will certainly have their own great ideas for the film if it does get a sequel. While we wait and see, you can check out our interview with Jack Dylan Grazer and Zach Galifianakis, who spoke about their experience voicing their roles, and writers Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith, who shared how the movie compares to Borat. Check out what other movies are coming out the rest of the year with CinemaBlend’s 2021 new movie release schedule. 

Ron’s Gone Wrong has the voice talents of Shazam!’s Jack Dylan Grazer with The Hangover’s Zach Galifianakis teaming up to play a middle schooler and malfunctioning robot in this weekend’s latest family film. These days, animated films are often recorded across the world by its actors with few moments for actual one-on-one time in the sound booth. Thankfully, the comedic and naturally charismatic actors came together for a specific scene in the sci-fi movie. 

CinemaBlend spoke to two of the Ron’s Gone Wrong filmmakers about the process of cultivating the unlikely friendship between down-on-his-luck kid Barney (Grazer) and a B-bot (Galifianakis) that does not work the way it’s intended. Co-directors Jean-Phillippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez shared one specific moment working with the actors that they’ll never forget. In Vine’s words: 

The scene they’re referring to takes place later in the film when Barney and Ron are on the run by the company that made the malfunctioning B-bot and doesn’t want the bad press. It speaks to the pair’s friendship and the messages of the film. When speaking to Zach Galifianakis about voicing the robot who has tons of hilarious moments by the way, he shared his experience voicing the character alongside Jack Dylan Grazer:

Towards the end there, Zach Galifianakis got into his typical self-deprecating humor, which Jack Dylan Grazer played along with, jokingly saying that he didn’t want to work with him either after sharing the same space for the fight scene. Then, of course, Grazer played around a little more, improvising that their time together was truly a physical moment in the sound booth: 

Zach Galifianakis kept it going, sharing it was on the DVD extras before Jack Dylan Grazer went bigger, saying there was a "stunt man" in the booth as well, along with a violent bullwhip. You can watch the pair talk about the scene in the interview clip above. Galifianakis kept the funny bit going with these words: 

Ron’s Gone Wrong imagines a world where walking and talking forms of smartphones called B-bots become a hot ticket item for kids. Jack Dylan Grazer’s Barney is the last one in his school to get one, and as he learns, he’s been paired with one, called Ron, that was never connected to the algorithm or cloud. Ron and Barney become friends in a more organic way, but in the process they stir up chaos in their town. 

Ron’s Gone Wrong is now playing in theaters. You can check out what other movies are coming out through the rest of the year with CinemaBlend’s 2021 new movie release schedule. 

2021 has been graced with a number of quality animated films thus far. Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, Sony’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Netflix’s Vivo are only a few of the sweet features that have been released to either the big screen or streaming platforms. Following these films now is 20th Century Studios’ Ron’s Gone Wrong, a futuristic tale that centers on a diminutive robot. Ahead of the movie’s release later this month, its review embargo has lifted, and critics are sharing their thoughts. So what are they saying?

The animated flick takes place in the future, in which kids befriend advanced (and admittedly adorable) machines called B-bots. A young boy named Barney is at the center of the story, as he receives a bot named Ron, who doesn’t work as well as his manufacturers probably intended. CinemaBlend’s own Sarah El-Mahmoud thinks the film is sweet and succeeds in getting its message across. However, she doesn’t find it to be essential viewing, ultimately giving it a three-star score:

Variety seemed to be a bit higher on the debut flick from Locksmith Animation. The trade positively likened the film to a certain classic ‘80s flick that focuses on a lovable robot. The critic also had plenty of praise for Zach Galifianakis, who plays the quirky Ron to Jack Dylan Grazer’s Barney:

With its release, the movie does have to follow some stiff competition, specifically the aforementioned Mitchells vs. The Machines. Both CB and IndieWire are only a few of the outlets to make the comparisons. However, the former site believes that audiences should still go see the film. The critic admits that it doesn’t reach the heights of the Phil Lord and Chris Miller-produced comedy, it still has enough charm of its own:

One of the commonalities of all of these reviews is the mention of the film’s heart. Deadline also commended the film for forgoing any cynical examination of social media culture. In addition, the trade also noted the deft combination of over-the-top and grounded elements in the movie:

Based on these reviews, it would seem that the movie manages to make a nice place for itself, despite not quite stacking up to some of its predecessors. Still, one would think that kids will have fun with this futuristic romp.

Ron's Gone Wrong hits theaters on October 22.

Robots can be either our best friends or our worst enemies. At least, that’s what various movies and stories have told us throughout time. However, 20th Century Studios’ Ron’s Gone Wrong plays towards somewhat of a middle ground, thanks to the presence of Zach Galifianakis’ character, Ron. While he’s desperate to please, the titular “best friend out of the box” does go on a bit of a malfunctioning rampage, and knives are involved. And yet, Ron is actually pretty adorable when you overlook his unintentional acts of potential violence.

Through a new trailer released by 20th Century Studios, Ron’s Gone Wrong has unveiled even more of its charming story. As young Barney (Luca’s Jack Dylan Grazer)finds himself on the outside of the latest tech trend, the B-Bot, his hopes for fitting in are even more dire than they already were. But that could change, thanks to his father’s birthday gift of Ron, the slightly defective B-Bot; who’s about to change his life for better or worse.

Which brings us to the whole part about playing with knives, as Ron’s Gone Wrong sees a cute and cuddly robot running head first into life. This apparently isn’t the best idea, as Ron is missing some very important code that should provide him with the proper knowledge to go out into the world. So not only does Barney need to teach Ron everything from square one, he needs to stop the manufacturers from capturing his new best friend, and sending him to the crusher.

Co-starring an assortment of talent that includes The Lorax’s Ed Helms and The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ Olivia Colman, Ron’s Gone Wrong has a voice cast that’s headed up by some seasoned talent from the world of animation. Even Zach Galifianakis’s experiences with Laika’s Missing Link and The Lego Batman Movie are a huge boost to this heartfelt comedy. So while there may be some danger ahead in the world of Ron and Barney’s adventures, there’s tons of safety with the team that’s behind Ron’s Gone Wrong.

For now, Ron’s Gone Wrong promises a story about a boy, his robot, and the open road. Right there, the potential for hijinks is already promising, and this is just the beginning. Thankfully, audiences won’t have to wait too long for Ron and Barney to make their way to the cineplex; as this big trailer comes with even greater news.

Ron’s Gone Wrong glitches into the world, only in theaters, on October 22nd. But if you’re curious what other family movies are headed to theaters and streaming, check out our 2021 release schedule. You won’t find any glitches in there, though you could discover some more stories of technology gone wrong on the horizon.

Over the years, Pixar has been responsible for coining a number of great phrasesm whether that be Up’s “Adventure is out there,” Toy Story’s “To infinity and beyond” or Finding Nemo’s “Just keep swimming.” Well, we’ve found the latest quotable Pixar quote in Luca, and it’s “Silenzio, Bruno!” It’s a really fun line to repeat after seeing the movie and holds a deep meaning to the director and star Jack Dylan Grazer, who said the line in the movie.

“Silenzio, Bruno!” is said by Jack Dylan Grazer’s Alberto to Jacob Tremblay’s Luca when the pair of friends are about to try out their homemade Vespa off a cliff. Luca is nervous about the outcome, but Alberto assures him to not listen to the "Bruno in his head" so they can just go for it. It’s a funny line that many of us will definitely take with us the next time we’re worried or anxious. CinemaBlend spoke to Luca director Enrico Casarosa about the origins of the memorable line, and he said this:

Sorry, Brunos, but the phrase is a really powerful one that definitely stuck with me long after watching it. As the director said, they really wanted to come up with a line that would encapsulate the character of Alberto along with his message and influence on Luca. So when writer Jesse Andrews cooked up the line, it fit perfectly. Jack Dylan Grazer, who says the line in the movie, shared his own connection to it:

17-year-old Jack Dylan Grazer, who has also starred in IT and the Shazam movies, said he’s a lot like Alberto overall. He’s always been a bit of a daredevil and the meaning of the big line in the movie is much like how he lives his own life too. It’s kind of a different way to ask someone to ignore the fear that comes with doing things in life and to seize the moment in a way.

Director Enrico Casarosa made Luca as a love letter to his own childhood in the Italian Riviera, where he was the Luca to his own Alberto. The movie is based on his own best friend as a kid who pushed him out of his comfort zone. The real Alberto is apparently an Air Force Pilot today. His best friend was actually instrumental in nailing the ending of Luca and in seeing the production through. In his words:

It’s a powerful phrase for the filmmakers and cast, and now it belongs to the fans of the movie. Luca is available on Disney+ along with a wave of exciting new releases this month.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I’d go to see a Disney movie I loved as a kid, a hopeful trip to the Disney Store following it was a cherished tradition. The studio has always nailed it when it comes to accompanying merchandise with its movies, and Pixar’s Luca is the newest addition to the pack. What’s extra special about the streaming release is its main roles are played by young actors who get to experience having a character with their own toys and such, and their reactions to having their own merch is precious.

The lead role of Luca is voiced by 14-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who has already had a whirlwind of a career thus far, previously venturing into the award season circuit at the age of eight for Room. Now the actor can check being a Pixar character off the bucket list. When CinemaBlend talked to Tremblay, he shared what it’s like to have toys based on his latest role:

In the video (above), you can check out Jacob Tremblay showing off some of the merchandise of Luca he already got his hands on. The actor was a huge Pixar fan as a younger kid, so of course it's a big deal. He continued to share his experience with these words:

Can you even imagine? Being in a Pixar movie is one thing, but while you’re still a kid? My mind would have launched itself out of my skull. Newcomer Emma Berman, who plays Guilia in her first movie credit ever, said the following about seeing her character have merchandise whilst being surrounded by her own during the interview:

It’s not everyone’s first rodeo though. The voice actor behind Luca’s friend Alberto, Shazam’s Jack Dylan Grazer, shared his unique experience with having his own merchandise:

Jack Dylan Grazer has a DCEU role in the Shazam films and played Eddie in the IT movies based on Stephen King’s iconic novel about Pennywise. It’s a massive accomplishment to have at the age of 17. The young actors make up the trio at the center of Luca, which premiered exclusively on Disney+ instead of theaters last week.

The sea monster story centers on a friendship between Luca and Alberto as they decide to ditch the deep blue for the Italian Riviera. Check out the full voice cast of Luca and stay here on CinemaBlend for more exclusive interviews.

SPOILERS are ahead for Luca.

Since the first trailer for Luca dropped, film fans were instantly reminded by Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 Oscar-winning movie, Call Me By Your Name. Both movies take place off the coast of Northern Italy and center on two male characters as they spend the summer together. Between the films’ comparable visual aesthetics and growing urges for Disney to make an LGBTQ+ positive movie, some fans would like to see the movie as summer love. And Jack Dylan Grazer, one of the movie’s famous voice actors, has some thoughts

Jack Dylan Grazer recently worked with Call Me By Your Name’s Luca Guadagnino for the HBO series We Are Who We Are. So we were curious about how the actor felt about Luca comparisons to the gay romance. In his words:

That's a fair response considering the characters at the center of Luca are young kids and the film is about their friendship as the sea monsters leave the ocean and explore the fictional Italian town of Portorosso. Even so, the 17-year-old already had a feeling that erotica about the characters was likely being written as we spoke.

Luca’s director Enrico Casarosa has also been asked about these comparisons as well, sharing in response that he was most interested in exploring “their friendship in that kind of pre-puberty world” without romance having a place in the story. That being said, many who have since seen the movie are latching onto some queer subtext in terms of its story as well. As one Twitter user shared:

Luca revolves around two sea monsters who try and fit in the town of Portorosso while they participate in a triathlon (who fear sea monsters) without villagers finding out about their true identity. At the end of the film, Luca decides to stop hiding who he is and finish the race as a sea monster and he is surprised to be met with acceptance. The movie ends with Luca going off to school with the risk involved of being bullied or hurt for his identity. As another fan said:

When speaking to Jack Dylan Grazer about the ending and if he’d like to see the characters return if there was a sequel, the actor liked the idea and said he thinks it would “be cool if we got back together and fell in love,” before adding a cheeky peach reference from Call Me By Your Name in reference to our earlier conversation. When speaking about the visual similarities to Luca and Guadagnino’s award winner, he said this:

While Luca is about two young friends and not lovers, its story is certainly connecting with people who connect with feeling like an outsider, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. You can check out the latest Pixar movie by streaming it now on Disney+.

Ah, Disney Parks. How we’ve missed you. As of this summer, all Disney theme parks worldwide have finally opened back up again. What’s always been fun about the House of Mouse is watching the Disney Imagineers transform a storyline from a beloved movie into a palpable experience, most recently with the interactive Spider-Man ride at Avengers Campus. And with the release of Pixar’s Luca, we brainstormed with the cast about how it should make its way into the Happiest Place on Earth.

Shazam’s Freddy Freeman, Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Luca’s friend Alberto in the Disney+ release, was hyped at the idea of being part of a Disney ride. He shared his own ideas for the sea monster summer movie to translate to the theme parks:

We cracked it. Much of Luca revolves around a triathlon that Luca, Alberto and Guilia team up for to win prize money and defend a title taken by the town’s bully. What’s involved is a bike ride up a hill, a pasta-eating competition and a swimming race. Those elements would perfectly suit a fast-paced ride with ups and downs. And as CinemaBlend spoke with Grazer, we came to the conclusion that the ride offering pasta in the middle of it all would be an inspired choice. Hey, maybe a sample to lure us into a nearby restaurant at least?

17-year-old Jack Dylan Grazer was thinking of the idea on the spot, and honestly, I’m sold. What’s lovely about the movie Luca is you want to live in the atmosphere already, so the idea of a full-fledged ride based on the movie would be delightful. Perhaps it would best fit in Epcot in Orlando, Florida in the Italian Pavilion. The movie’s Guilia, played by newcomer Emma Berman, also shared her thoughts on Luca in the Disney parks:

Machiavelli is Guilia’s mustachioed and suspicious cat. He’s a character who would definitely get a lot of love in the merch booths of Disney Parks. As far as rides go, Berman also loved the idea of the movie bringing some underwater fun to guests. She was especially interested in Luca’s presence in Pixar Pier over at Disney’s California Adventure, which is home to the Incredicoaster, the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Toy Story’s Midway Mania and a number of other Pixar-related experiences.

You can check out Luca exclusively on Disney+ and stay up to date about the latest in Disney Parks here on Cinemablend starting with our review of Avengers Campus.

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One of my favorite things about the Pixar movies does not have as much to do with actually watching the movies: looking up who voices each character later on or even beforehand. For instance, Jacob Tremblay - acclaimed young star of Room and horror movies like Doctor Sleep - and Jack Dylan Grazer - the acclaimed young star of DC movies like Shazam! and hit horror movies It and It: Chapter Two - play a pair of sea monsters who disguise themselves as humans to have an adventures on land by the Italian Riviera. Take a look at what other familiar voices you may recognize, and some you may be hearing for the first time, from the Luca cast, starting with the remarkably talented actor in the title role.

Jacob Tremblay (Luca Paguro)

At only 14 years old, Jacob Tremblay has become one of the hardest-working and critically praised performers of his generation since his breakout role in 2015’s heart-wrenching, Oscar-winning A24 drama Room in 2015 after first making his feature-film debut in The Smurfs 2 in 2013. Ironically, he did not play one of the titular animated blue creatures in said sequel, but Luca is not his first time playing an animated character either having lent his voice to TV series like Amazon Prime’s Pete the Cat (as the title role) and HBO Max’s Harley Quinn as Robin. Tremblay is also voicing Flounder in Disney’s upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid remake, but you may have seen his face from movies like Mike Flanagan’s Netflix exclusive thriller Before I Wake, the inspiring family drama Wonder, and the raunchy but heartfelt Good Boys from 2019.

Jack Dylan Grazer (Alberto Scorfano)

Playing Luca’s friend and fellow sea monster Alberto is another young veteran of recent horror movie hits Jack Dylan Grazer, who played the parentally inflicted hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak in 2017’s It cast after debuting in one of the most underrated horror anthology movies, Tales of Halloween, in 2015. The now 16-year-old also played the teenage version of a character also played by Saturday Night Live’s Bobby Moynihan and John Laroquette on the short-lived sitcom Me, Myself and I and a younger Timothée Chalamet in Beautiful Boy. Outside of the animated, Italy-set, coming-of-age movie Luca, Grazer stars in an Italy-set, coming-of-age series on HBO Max called We Are Who We Are, will next voice another supporting character in the animated Ron’s Gone Wrong in 2021, and is reprising his role as Freddy Freeman in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which is currently filming.

Emma Berman (Giulia Marcovaldo)

In addition to Luca’s fellow sea monster companion Alberto Scorfano, the curious hero of the newest Pixar movie also, for the first time in his life, befriends a human named Giulia. The adventurous young girl is voiced by Emma Berman, who is actually making her cinematic debut with Luca. So far, the 12-year-old up-and-comer’s only other acting credit is another voice acting role from an April 2021 episodes of the Netflix original animated children’s series Go! Go! Cory Carson as Winifred Wings - an airplane who is afraid of flying.

Maya Rudolph (Daniela Paguro)

Playing Luca’s mother also marks one of multiple voice roles in 2021 alone for former Saturday Night Live cast member Maya Rudolph after playing Linda in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, reprising Aunt Cass on Big Hero 6: The Series, and the upcoming Big Mouth Season 5 on Netflix. Her previous animated roles include Shrek the Third as Rapunzel, Turbo alongside Ryan Reynolds, both The Nut Job movies, and two films inspired by mobile phone activity: 2016’s The Angry Birds Movie and The Emoji Movie from the following year. She has also appeared in person in films like the Adam Sander/Drew Barrymore rom-com 50 First Dates, Mike Judge’s frighteningly relevant futuristic satire Idiocracy, the SNL sketch spin-off MacGruber, and 2011’s Bridesmaids, which also has a famous SNL connection as her co-star Kristen Wiig was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay.

Jim Gaffigan (Lorenzo Paguro)

The most notable writing credits of Jim Gaffigan are many acclaimed stand-up specials, his short-lived TV Land sitcom The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Pale Force - a series of animated shorts starring him as the voice of superhero Pale Man and his young sidekick, Conan O’Brien, which were presented on Late Night during the talk show host’s NBC years. As an actor, the comedian (who voices Luca’s father) is known for an a-meow-sing Super Troopers cameo, director Sam Mendes’ Away We Go (also starring Maya Rudolph), and some dramatic roles as of late, such as in Chappaquiddick, and a gig with CBS Sunday Morning. Other animated roles include Henry Haber on a few Bob’s Burgers episodes, himself on Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, and his voice will also be heard in 2021 when he reprises Van Helsing in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which is now in post-production.

Sandy Martin (Grandma Paguro)

Playing the grandmother of the titular character in Luca is Sandy Martin, whose best known role as the grandmother of the titular character in 2004’s Napoleon Dynamite - which is only one other instance of her history playing a family matriarch on screen. The 72-year-old actress also played Joy’s grandma on the My Name is Earl cast, Mac’s mother on the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast, and also Sam Rockwell’s mother in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in 2017. Audience may also recognize Matin from brief appearances in films as old as 1982’s 48 Hrs. or as recent as 2010’s Marley & Me and on TV shows as funny as 2 Broke Girls or as serious as Ray Donovan, on which she has a memorable recurring role as Jon Voight’s onscreen sister-in-law, coincidentally named Sandy Patrick.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Uncle Ugo)

Another undersea relative of Luca’s is his uncle, Ugo, voiced by multi-talented actor and controversial prankster artist Sacha Baron Cohen, who was recently nominated for two Academy Awards - one for his supporting role in Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 and the other for co-writing the screenplay for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime in 2020. The 49-year-old Brit’s first and other most famous acting gig was as the royal lemur Julien in the Madagascar movies as he is better known for live action characters in comedies like Jean Girard in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby or more serious films like Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street from 2007. The Who is America? host has recently been cast in the title role of the long-awaited Mandrake the Magician, based on the iconic comic strip.

Marco Barricelli (Massimo Marcovaldo)

As Giulia Marcovaldo’s father, Massimo - an intimidating, yet kindhearted, fisherman and cook - we have Marco Barricelli, who is best known for his long history as an actor, writer, director, and educator in the world of theatre. However, for those who those who do not seek entertainment from the stage, the veteran performer has eight screen credits to his name - the most recent being Luca. He debuted on a 1987 episode of the popular daytime soap opera Guiding Light, appeared on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law in 1991, and had a four-episode stint on the dramedy The Book of Daniel (which only lasted twice as long in 2006), to name a few gig. Barricelli has even lent his voice to a few video games, including 1996’s Clandestiny and Manhunt 2 in 2007.

Francesca Fanti (Maggiore)

As a movie set in Italy and directed by an Italian born filmmaker (Enrico Casarosa), it would only make sense that Luca cast also empty Italian-born actors as well. Among them is Francesca Fanti, who is best know to American audiences from the 2009 musical Nine (which also starred Daniel Day-Lewis), the Emmy-winning FX miniseries The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story as the murdered fashion icon’s mother (coincidentally named) Francesca “Franca” Versace, and a couple of uncredited voice roles in Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted alongside the aforementioned Sacha Baron Cohen.

Saverio Raimondo (Ercole Visconte)

One of Italy’s most popular comedians is Saverio Raimondo, who stars in Luca as a young bully named Ercole Visconte, whom Luca comes at odds with in the Pixar film. The animated movie is Raimondo’s first (partially) English-language project, having previously appeared in a modest number of projects originating from his home country - including the 2016 pilot for the comedy Dov’è Mario, in which a renowned Italian intellectual (Corrado Guzzanti) suffers a car accident and gains a split personality that makes him a crude stand-up comic by night. Speaking of stand-up, for a taste of what Raimondo’s comedic stylings, try his 2019 Netflix original comedy special Saverio Raimondo: Il Satiro Parlante.

Pixar has shed light on various cultures, such as Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos in Coco in 2018. It will do the same for Italy, as seen through the eyes of a young, adventurous sea monster in Luca, streaming on Disney+ Friday, June 18, 2021.

Among the DCEU’s many exciting pursuits is the sequel of 2019’s Shazam!, which is currently filming in preparation for its 2023 release. The movie will once again follow Billy Batson and his adult superhero alter ego alongside fan-favorite Freddy Freeman, played by Jack Dylan Grazer. The actor, also known for his role in IT, is now 17 years old and recently gave us an update on what it's like to return to the role for Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Obviously starring in a DCEU movie means there’s a lot of secrets for Jack Dylan Grazer to keep ahead of reprising his role as Freddy Freeman three years later. When CinemaBlend caught up with the actor for his voice role in Pixar’s Luca, I asked him how it feels to return to the comic book franchise. As he said:

Jack Dylan Grazer is being hard on himself – he was perfect as the awed-out kid and superhero superfan who watched as his friend Billy Batson became a buffed-up superhero… and then became one himself through Adam Brody’s spot on performance. When he left the premiere of Shazam! in Los Angeles back in 2019, he couldn’t wait for the chance to return to the role and now that he has it, he’s having the time of his life.

Grazer really loves playing Freddy Freeman and he wants to do right by the character moving forward with Shazam! Fury of the Gods. It sounds like the actor will be giving the role his all for the sequel, and as fans of the character in the first movie, we certainly hope Freddy steals the show even more than he did for the 2019 film when the actor was just 14 years old.

While we learned exclusively from Mark Strong that Dr. Sivana will not be part of the sequel, despite the tease at the end of the movie, Fury of the Gods will feature Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren as villains and the addition of West Side Story newcomer Rachel Zegler. Director David F. Sandberg recently showed off the first footage from the sequel:

That’s right. Zachary Levi is wearing a new suit for Fury of the Gods and the DCEU sequel is that much closer to entering into our eyeballs. In the meantime, Jack Dylan Grazer has just become a Pixar star with his role as Alberto in Luca coming to Disney+ on Friday, June 18.

Over the years, Pixar Animation has taken us to all sorts of beautiful places through its 3-D animation style, whether that be inside our heads with Inside Out, into the afterlife of Soul or through the Great Barrier Reef in Finding Nemo. And for Pixar’s latest Luca, audiences will be transported to a beautiful Italian coastal town called Portorosso. The setting is based on the real atmosphere in Italy’s beautiful riviera and the Pixar filmmakers did some awesome research on location in Europe to bring it to life.

Ahead of Luca, which is coming exclusively to Disney+ this month, you can get ready to experience the sweet summer storyline with an exclusive featurette of the making of the film above. In the clip from Pixar, the filmmakers and cast focus on how the breathtaking setting was animated and transformed into the backdrop of the tale of two sea monster friends who decide to explore the human world.

Portorosso itself is a fictional town off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but it is very much rooted in the real appeal of the Italian Riviera. And thus, the filmmakers and animators of the project went on a trip to Italy to get inspired by the region it was influenced by. It also helps that the film’s director Enrico Casarosa was born in Genoa, Italy and spent his own summers in the region as a kid and teenager.

Casarosa pitched the idea of Luca to Pixar after spearheading the memorable Pixar short La Luna. Luca is his first time directing a Pixar movie and he brings his own flavor to it, including his love for Hayao Miyazaki movies like Spirited Away or Kiki’s Delivery Service. When CinemaBlend spoke to the director about his inspirations for the film, here’s what he told us:

Luca comes from a place of personal nostalgia for its filmmaker as it takes its audience on a fun adventure through the eyes of sea monsters who have never experienced the world beyond the sea before. As the clip shows, Pixar really wanted to capture the feeling of coastal Italy, along with telling a touching story about friendship.

The movie stars Room’s Jacob Tremblay as Luca andShazam’s Jack Dylan Grazer as Alberto, the movie’s best friends. Also among the voice cast is Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan and newcomer Emma Berman as Giulia. Luca will be available to stream on Disney+ on June 18.

The It movies were a massive success, especially for the horror movie genre. IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two made plenty of box office bank, and they helped introduce the world to its young stars like Finn Wolfhard, Jaeden Martell, and Sophia Lillis. Stephen King’s classic horror novel turned into movies continue to find new film audiences, and these films may eventually go down in history as some of the best adaptations of his books.

The IT: Chapter One cast was full of promising young actors and actresses, but IT: Chapter: Two was full of already established Hollywood vets. Both the stars of the first and second films have been very busy since the release of the movies, so let’s see what the IT cast has done lately.

Bill Skarsgard (Pennywise)

Pennywise, or IT, is the main antagonist in both films. He can take on many forms but chooses to be a clown. Pennywise and Bill Skarsgard made clowns scary again, though I don’t think they ever really stopped being frightening. Bill Skarsgard worked on another Stephen King production in 2018 and 2019, Castle Rock.

Skarsgard’s next TV series was AMC’s Soulmates. He has also appeared in a series of indie and big-budget films, including Assassination Nation, Deadpool 2, Villains, Nine Days, and The Devil All the Time. He will next reunite with his The Devil All the Time co-star Tom Holland in the Russo Brothers’ Cherry. He will also co-star in Naked Singularity, a film also starring John Boyega and Olivia Cooke. It’s the directorial debut of Chase Palmer, who co-wrote the screenplay for IT: Chapter One. Skarsgard will also co-star in the adaptation of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.

Jaeden Martell (Child Bill Denbrough)

Bill is sort of the leader of the Losers’ Club. He has a stuttering problem, but he doesn’t let it hold him back from speaking up and standing up for his beliefs. In IT: Chapter One, Bill has hope that he can find or save his little brother Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott). In 2019, Jaeden Martell had a starring role in the horror film The Lodge.

Also in 2019, Martell appeared in Low Tide. He starred in The True Adventures of Wolfboy. Martell appeared with an all-star cast in Oscar-nominated Knives Out. In 2020, he reunited with Knives Out castmate Chris Evans in the series Defending Jacob. Martell’s next project is a film that he’ll co-star in with Susan Sarandon called Tunnels.

Sophia Lillis (Child Beverly Marsh)

Bev is the only girl member of the Losers’ Club. She is oblivious to the fact that she is caught in a love triangle between Bill and Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor). She also has to deal with an abusive father and an unwarranted bad reputation. In addition to playing Bev in It, Sophia Lillis took on the iconic role of Nancy Drew in Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase.

She then starred as Beth Bledsoe in the Amazon Prime Original movie Uncle Frank. Lillis also played another iconic character in Gretel & Hansel, where she played Gretel. Lillis has also been fairly active in the TV world. She played Camille Preaker in the miniseries Sharp Objects. She then had the lead role in I Am Not Okay with This, which reunited her with IT co-star Wyatt Oleff.

Finn Wolfhard (Child Richie Tozier)

Richie is a wisecracking kid with a comeback and answer for everything. He often takes pleasure in making fun of the other Losers, especially Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer). Finn Wolfhard had already established a fanbase with Stranger Things prior to the IT films. He returned to the series for Season 3, and for the upcoming Season 4. 

Wolfhard appeared in the series Carmen Sandiego, JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales, and Home Movie: The Princess Bride. Wolfhard and his new band The Aubreys have been releasing music, including a single called Smoke Bomb. His movie credits have included The Goldfinch, The Addams Family, and The Turning. He will next appear in the new Ghostbusters film Ghostbusters: Afterlife. and in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. The film is currently still filming.

Jeremy Ray Taylor (Child Ben Hanscom)

Ben is a new kid in Derry. Immediately, he is a target of ridicule by the bullies in Derry, but he finds his place with the Losers. He has a crush on Bev, but she only sees him as a friend. Jeremy Ray Taylor appeared in Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween. He then appeared in an episode of Schooled.

He had a series regular role on the 2019 revival of Are You Afraid of the Dark as Graham. In 2020, Taylor directed his first short film Unarmed Divide.

Jack Dylan Grazer (Child Eddie Kaspbrak)

Eddie has a major fear of germs and getting sick, mostly brought on by his mother’s imposing views and overprotectiveness. Jack Dylan Grazer appeared in the films, Beautiful Boy, Don’t Tell A Soul, and DC’s Shazam! He is also one of the main characters in the HBO series We Are Who We Are.

Grazer has also appeared in the series Me, Myself & I, Speechless, and Robot Chicken. He will reprise his role as Freddy in the Shazam sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. It’s expected to be released in 2023.

Chosen Jacobs (Child Mike Hanlon)

Mike is an outsider among the other students because he is homeschooled, but he eventually joins the Losers’ Club. Mike is also haunted by the tragedy of his parent’s death. Chosen Jacobs will next appear in the film Sneakerella. The film is a musical comedy that re-imagines the Cinderella fairytale. The film will be released on Disney+ in 2021. Jacobs will play the lead.

Chosen Jacobs once again appeared in a Stephen King production by playing Wendell Deaver in Castle Rock. He also had recurring guest roles on Hawaii Five-O and God Friended Me. He had a main role in the Quibi series When the Streetlights Go On.

Wyatt Oleff (Child Stanley Uris)

Stan is best categorized by his overwhelming fear of everything (rightfully) and his Jewish heritage. They played major roles in his IT: Chapter One storyline. Wyatt Oleff’s most prominent post-IT role was in Netflix’s series I Am Not Okay with This. He played another character named Stanley. I Am Not Okay with This was unfortunately canceled after one season.

In 2020, Wyatt Oleff participated in an Acting for a Cause event where he played Lysander for a digital production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. Oleff will co-star in In My Life, a film about a young boy who dreams about being like John Lennon, and then The Beatles move next door.

James McAvoy (Adult Bill Denbrough)

In It Chapter Two, adult Bill is now a well-known author who writes bad endings. He’s currently married and in Hollywood working on the screenplay for a film adaptation of one of his books. When he is thrust back into the world of IT, he becomes even more haunted by the death of Georgie.

James McAvoy’s recent work has included playing Lord Asriel in His Dark Materials. McAvoy lent his voice to the video game Twelve Minutes. He will also narrate the Channel 4 reality series The Bridge. He will co-star with Claire Foy in the remake of My Son.

Jessica Chastain (Adult Beverly Marsh)

Adult Bev suffers some of the same mistakes as child Bev. She married an abusive man, who is very similar to her father. She then is blinded to Ben (Jay Ryan), because of her undying crush on Bill. I assume that Jessica Chastain is one of those people that doesn’t know the joy of sleep because she’s always busy. In 2020, she appeared in the film Ava,.

Chastain has many projects in the works, including a film with Jake Gyllenhaal called The Division. She also has a future movie with Ralph Fiennes called The Forgiven. She also will play Tammy Faye in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. She will star in the movies and TV series The Good Nurse, George and Tammy, His & Hers, and The 355.

Bill Hader (Adult Richie Tozier)

Adult Richie turned his quick-wit and wise-cracking humor into a career as a comedian. We learn a lot more about what Richie fears and “the secret'' that he holds in IT: Chapter Two. Hader appeared in the Disney+ Christmas movie Noelle as Kris Kringle’s son Nick. He also appeared in the second season of Barry, which won him an Emmy Award. He voiced urGoh in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Hader can next be heard in The Addams Family 2. He will reprise his role as Barry for Barry Season 3.

Jay Ryan (Ben Hanscom)

In It Chapter Two, adult Ben may be slimmer, but he’s still insecure and afraid to tell Bev how he feels. However, he’s now very successful. Jay Ryan appeared in the Australian film The Furnace. According to his Instagram, Ryan’s next project is called Muru.

James Ransone (Adult Eddie Kaspbrak)

Adult Eddie is basically the mirror image of his younger counterpart. He’s still a germaphobe and controlled by a woman who just heightens his fears of life. In 2020, James Ransone appeared in the film What We Found. He also had a recurring role on SEAL Team and 50 States of Fright.

Isaiah Mustafa (Adult Mike Hanlon)

Adult Mike brings all the Losers together. He stays in Derry to watch over it and wait for IT’s return.

 Isaiah Mustafa directed a short called Rosalinda in 2020. He made it available on his Youtube channel. In 2020, Isaiah Mustafa reunited with Old Spice for a new campaign.

Andy Bean (Adult Stanley Uris)

Stanley seems to have a successful life and relatively happy life until he’s contacted by Mike to return to Derry. Andy Bean played Alec Holland in Swamp Thing. The series was canceled after one season.

The IT cast has been busy but you can still catch them in IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two streaming on HBO Max. Stream it here (1, 2).

Part of the reason why it’s so challenging to build a franchise around teenage characters is because actors at that age are growing rapidly, and their physical changes clearly stick out from one installment to the next. In this regard, the IT movies are a perfect example. Only about two years passed between the productions of the first and second movie, and yet watching interviews with Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Sophia Lillis, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Chosen Jacobs, and Wyatt Oleff you can clearly see that they’ve gotten older.

These days, however, technology is advanced enough to actually do something about this problem, and that’s exactly that route that director Andy Muschietti took in the making of IT Chapter Two. As was reported in early August, it was planned from the beginning of development that de-aging visual effects would be employed to have the younger members of the cast look exactly as they did in the 2017 original. It was an involved part of the production, and something I had the chance to ask the actors about during recent interviews:

Prior to the release of IT Chapter Two, I had the chance to sit down with the younger iterations of the Losers Club members at the Los Angeles press day for the film, and while they were split into two groups for the interviews, I asked them all the same question about the special processes required to ensure visual continuity between the sequel and the original movie. What I learned is that not only was there a pass done to make them physically look younger, but there were even efforts made behind the scenes to make the actors sound younger too.

On the visual effects front, most of the actors had to be individually scanned, which Finn Wolfhard describes as being done with a hair dryer-like device that is swept around their heads. From there they couldn’t really get into the technological side of things, but surely the work then required uploading those scans, comparing them to the kids’ faces from the first IT, morphing the scans to match, and then mapping the results to the footage shot for IT Chapter Two.

Apparently the exception to this, though, was Sophia Lillis. The actor explained that she was told that her performance as Beverly in the sequel required the least amount of extra de-aging work… and you can actually kind of see why when you look at images of the actors from 2017 and now side-by-side:

Their voices were a different story – though evidently it too wasn’t part of everyone’s experience. According to Jack Dylan Grazer, he didn’t actually know about the de-aging process until after production, specifically when he went in for Automated Dialog Replacement (ADR) sessions – a standard process where an actor re-records their on-set dialogue in a recording booth for clarity. Weird as it may sound, Grazer was told that there was a possibility that his performance as Eddie in IT Chapter Two would be dubbed by someone who could better match his voice from the previous film. It seems, however, that didn’t end up happening.

At the time of the interview, the IT stars hadn’t actually seen the finished cut of IT Chapter Two yet, so they weren’t exactly aware of what they would see with the completed de-aging effects – but it was definitely something they were anticipating… even while understanding that it would be a bit weird.

Of course, now audiences everywhere can see the finished results for themselves, as IT Chapter Two – co-starring James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, Andy Bean, Isaiah Mustafa, and James Ransone – is now playing in theaters globally. If you’ve already seen the film, what did you think about the application of de-aging technology to the younger members of the cast? Hit the comments section below with all your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

What Andy Muschietti has created with IT and IT Chapter Two culminates as a phenomenal adaptation of one of the greatest horror novels of all time – even while making changes necessary for the medium change. For example, there was no way that Warner Bros. was going to wait an extensive amount of time between the two films so that the main cast could grow up, but the production put together what is truly a fantastic ensemble to play the leads’ older counterparts.

That being said, it does make you wonder: what if there actually was a 27 year gap between the release of IT and IT Chapter Two, and the production reassembled the original cast to reprise their roles as grown adults? Taking that a step further, now that we live in a world where IT Chapter Two exists, what if in the year 2044 there was a remake of the 2019 Andy Muschietti movie that reunited Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, and Sophia Lillis? It could be pretty cool, and as I recently learned from the young cast, they would totally be on-board:

At the recent Los Angeles press day for IT Chapter Two, I sat down not only with the adult members of the Losers Club – Jessica Chastain, Jay Ryan, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Andy Bean, and James Ransone – but also the aforementioned kids who return in their respective roles. Though they were split into two groups as part of the interview setup, I proposed to them all the above scenario, and it was a concept that they thought was interesting and appreciated, largely because of how much the property means to them, and how much they enjoy spending time together.

While some of the actors in the IT cast had more experience than others when they became a part of the ensemble, there is no arguing that the 2017 film wasn’t the biggest feature development to happen in their professional lives. They all became instantly recognizable stars with a $700 million blockbuster on their resumes. That was a unique experience that will keep them forever bonded, and they’ve clearly become close because they’ve gone through all of it as a group.

Of course, just because IT Chapter Two is now out doesn’t mean that they all have to go their separate ways, as they could take the suggestion from Chosen Jacobs and Finn Wolfhard and regularly work together for years to come. This certainly would be a very new development for modern Hollywood, a reintroduction of the “troupe,” and that would be its own kind of awesome.

At the same time, though, it might be even more fascinating if their lives all take very different paths before they come back together decades later – exactly like their characters in the movies. But maybe that’s one meta step too far.

This might seem like kind of a pipe dream, but is it really so hard to imagine? Not only has Andy Muschietti been very open about ideas to re-edit IT and IT Chapter Two (specifically in making a super cut that brings both titles together with new footage), but in the future it would certainly be a goldmine idea for Warner Bros. to explore. Even right now there are whispers about the studio trying to find some way to keep the “franchise” alive with future explorations of Derry, Maine, but if no project like that ever comes to fruition, an IT Chapter Two remake released 27 years after the 2017 original could be a magical way to bring the horror property back in the long term with a lot of type.

For now this is really just a shrug-your-shoulders-and-say-“We’ll see” situation, and we’ll just have to wait for the future to unfold. At the very least for now many of the actors have some very special items that they were allowed to keep from set that they can personally treasure as mementos.

Do you think that you would eventually like to see the cast of IT come back together to play the adult versions of their own characters in a 2044 remake of IT Chapter Two? If no, why not? If you’re on the fence, what elements would the project need to get you interested? Answer our poll below, hit the comments section below with all of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the matter, and stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interviews with the cast and filmmakers behind the new hit movie!

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At the end of the day, the legacy of Andy Muschietti’s IT movies will be regarded as an immensely impressive one. This is a big screen adaptation that confounded filmmakers and executives for decades as they tried to figure out how to get it done properly, and not only have things turned out tremendously well from a quality standpoint, but even with just two films it ranks as one of the highest grossing horror franchises of all time.

Together, IT and IT Chapter Two are leaving an indelible stamp on pop culture, and everyone involved in the making of them will long remember the experience. Some of the folks, however, will have more than just memories to reflect upon, as I learned during the recent Los Angeles press day for the forthcoming sequel. As I learned during interviews with the director and members of the cast, there are a few items from set that ended up being taken home instead of being put in some warehouse somewhere:

Going from interview room to interview room during the IT Chapter Two press day, I tried to ask all of the actors and filmmakers if they kept anything from the production as a keepsake. Some, like producer Barbara Muschietti, didn’t feel like any of the on-set props or bits of costuming were hers to take, but director Andy Muschietti, and stars Jack Dylan Grazer, Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Martell, and Chosen Jacobs apparently didn’t exactly feel the same way.

Pennywise's Teeth

First up we have Andy Muschietti’s kept item from set, which he didn’t exactly surreptitiously take because it was presented to him as a gift. According to the director, his experience filming his final take with Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise The Dancing Clown was marked by the actor approaching him and giving him the fake buckteeth that are so prominently shown in the image above. And while Muschietti didn’t say exactly what he has done with the evil clown teeth, he apparently keeps them “very safe.”

Silver, Shoes, Fake Cigarettes, And An Inhaler

Even though they were on the set for two movies instead of just one, not every younger member of the Loser’s Club wound up keeping an item from the making of IT or IT Chapter 2, but those that did ended up with some pretty amazing keepsakes. The big mindblower that came as a shock to everyone in the room is that Jaeden Martell, who plays Bill Denbrough, got to keep his character’s bike, nicknamed Silver. Jack Dylan Grazer held on to the inhaler that Eddie uses for his fake asthma, and Sophia Lillis still has a pair of Beverly’s shoes – though she more took them by accident than anything. As for Chosen Jacobs, he went a different route with his memento, as he took home fake cigarettes made of tea leaves so that he could prank his mom.

Losers Club Boxes

When I asked Jessica Chastain and Jay Ryan if they kept anything from set, the former gave me a different answer than most – revealing that she made sure that every adult member of the Losers Club left the set of IT Chapter Two with something special. She had custom wooden boxes made for all of them, and each not only had their character names, but also specific items from the movie that are meant to represent them (explaining more gets a bit too into spoiler territory for a pre-release article). They sound pretty incredible.

The saga making IT and IT Chapter Two is over, but only starting this weekend will audiences be able to see how the big screen story comes to a conclusion. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interviews with the cast and filmmakers!

DC’s latest superhero blockbuster is here and it looks to be another step in the right direction for the studio once playing catch-up in the shadows of the phenomenon that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shazam! is a different kind of comic book adapted flick for the DCEU, as it centers on a 14-year-old kid's refreshing perspective when he has incredible powers bestowed upon him.

Having a story that features a primarily young cast comes with one concern: They’re constantly growing up. That's one reason why a sequel for Shazam! may need to come sooner rather than later. Collider asked the film’s producer Peter Safran if they'd want to jump right back in for a sequel, since the "kids" will probably look very different a year from now. Here's Safran's response:

Per his comments, you can’t exactly keep a story going about a kid who turns into the adult superhero played by Zachary Levi if his younger counterpart is already an adult himself. Asher Angel, who plays young teen Billy Batson in Shazam!, is already 16-years-old right now. So if the studio waits even two years to give the sequel a greenlight, he’ll already be inching on adulthood by the time filming gets underway.

Having a 20-year-old switch into Zachary Levi’s Shazam -- who will be in his 40s a couple years from now -- wouldn’t have quite the same effect on audiences as the age difference introduced to audiences this weekend. There is always room for creativity in superhero films, though, so the filmmakers might be able to find a way to work around this without seeing the franchise lose its charm.

The plus side of this logistical complication is that if Shazam! does well, the studio may feel more compelled to get going on a sequel from the lightning-powered hero before pursuing other pending projects. This would be great news for fans of the recent DC release -- and considering the producer himself recognizes this, it might just be in the works already.

During another recent interview, Peter Safran and director David F. Sandberg both showed their interest in returning for a sequel, so the stars just might align with more ease for Shazam! 2 than other DCEU projects being considered to move forward into production.

This is a problem that Tom Holland’s new Spider-Man franchise is also facing, as the actor plays a 15-year-old boy in Homecoming. As Far From Home nears release, Holland is now a 22-year-old stuck in a role of a high-school student. The second movie was fast-tracked behind the first for this very reason, and they will be release just two years apart.

Shazam! certainly looks to be a success thus far, as it exceeded expectations on opening night with a $6 million haul and has a certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%.

Who’s already in for a Shazam! sequel? Stay tuned with us here at CinemaBlend!

This weekend, moviegoers will find themselves uttering the true magic word: Shazam! Part of the DC's upcoming film slate will be the story of youngster Billy Batson, who with one simple word can turn into the superhero Shazam!, formerly referred to as Captain Marvel, an adult hero with powers ranging from super strength and flight to various forms of magic. For kids who pretend to be superheroes on the playground and around their house, being able to turn into one instantly is the ultimate wish fulfillment! Okay, let's be real, a lot of us who are adults would love this opportunity as well.

Captain Marvel/Shazam! has been fighting crime on the comic book pages for over eight decades (though he was put on ice for 20 years), and has been one of DC Comics' most popular characters since the 1970s. Aside from a film serial released in the early 1940s, this project will mark Shazam!'s full-length theatrical debut after years of appearances in cartoons, video games and even a live-action TV series. The film is now only a couple of days away, but there is still enough to chew on, both about what's already been announced, like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson playing Black Adam, and what we may end up seeing. Here's everything we know so far about Shazam!

When Is The Shazam! Release Date?

Shazam! was originally expected to hit theaters on April 5, 2019. At the time, that was placing it right after the unnamed DC film being released on October 5, 2018, but before Justice League 2 was scheduled to come out on June 14, 2019. Even though the DCEU has gone through numerous scheduling (and content) changes since late 2014, we can say for sure that Shazam! has kept that spot. April is an unusual time for a big blockbuster movie to come out, but as Captain America: The Winter Soldier proved in 2014, that doesn't mean they can't be successful in that release slot.

That may not be as applicable to Shazam!, considering that Winter Soldier was a sequel and most people aren't familiar with Shazam! the character (the word, much more so). Originally, the release date was seen as being beneficial to Shazam!, as there wasn't much box office competition set, giving it plenty of room to stretch its legs. But, as we near the movie's debut, that has changed quite a bit. Captain Marvel opened less than a month ago, and with that movie recently crossing the $1 billion mark, there may still be folks who head out this weekend to take it in. Plus, Jordan Peele's Us has been stronger than expected, and in the next few weeks we'll see the Hellboy reboot and Avengers: Endgame open, meaning that Shazam! will have to find its audience quickly and/or stick around for a while to really make its money back.

What Is The Shazam! Rating?

Shazam! didn't get its official for a long time, as is customary, but we now know that the film will be rated PG-13. In mid-February 2019, the MPAA made its decision on the rating of the film due to "intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material." Past DC movies, and for that matter, most modern superhero movies, get the same rating. With Shazam! being one of the lighter entries from DC, it was pretty much guaranteed to hit the PG-13 target. Another thing we can safely count on is that Shazam! won't come out with an R-rated extended cut for home media...I hope.

The Director

It was quite a while before Shazam! confirmed who would be directing the superhero flick, but in July 2017, it was announced that David F. Sandberg had officially obtained the job. Sandberg's moviemaking experience primarily rests in the horror realm with movies like Lights Out and Annabelle 2. Having him helm a movie about a boy who becomes a fully-grown superhero upon exclaiming a word sounds like a weird pairing, but it wouldn't be the first unorthodox pick for a superhero director. Remember, Aquaman director James Wan also has a horror background. And, Sandberg himself has said that he thinks he's the best person for the job since he didn't grow up knowing a lot about the hero.

Shazam!, Previously Known As Captain Marvel (Zachary Levi)

Billy Batson, a.k.a Captain Marvel, was created by Fawcett Comics in 1940, and at one point was considered the most popular superhero of the 1940s. Like most comic book characters, Billy's origins have been retconned several times, but the basic premise remains the same. Orphaned at a young age, young Billy was led by a mysterious stranger through a subway tunnel. Brought before the ancient wizard Shazam! in the Rock of Eternity, he is chosen to receive the powers of Captain Marvel because of the goodness in his heart. Whenever Billy says the word "Shazam!", a magical lightning bolt strikes him, and he becomes the adult Captain Marvel, though he still has Billy's intellect and personality. To transform back into Billy Batson, Captain Marvel just has to say the same word. Each letter in "Shazam!" corresponds with one of the magical abilities Billy inherited from various Greek and Roman characters: S for the Wisdom of Solomon; H for the Strength of Hercules; A for the Stamina of Atlas; Z for the Power of Zeus; A for the Courage of Achilles and M for the Speed of Mercury.

The recent name change for the superhero goes back to legal troubles the character faced in the early 1950s. Due to a copyright infringement lawsuit from DC Comics over Captain Marvel's similarity to Superman, Fawcett Comics agreed to stop publishing stories featuring him and the other members of the Marvel Family, and they weren't seen again for nearly 20 years. During this interim period, Marvel created their own Captain Marvel and trademarked the name. So when DC got ahold of Captain Marvel and his supporting cast in the early 1970s, although they could still call him Captain Marvel within their published stories, they couldn't publish a comic book called "Captain Marvel." As a result, the various series over the years starring him have had titles circling around the word "Shazam!"

When the character was rebooted in 2012 as part of the New 52, writer Geoff Johns decided to rename him Shazam! since many already associated that word with the superhero. Now Billy shares the same name as the being who gave him his powers, and now it's been retconned so that Billy has to say "Shazam!" with good intentions to become the superhero rather than simply say it. This eliminates the pesky problem of him accidentally transforming back into his child self when introducing himself in his superpowered form.

Though Armie Hammer had expressed interest in playing Shazam! following a social media post from The Rock, who is set to portray villain/anti-hero Black Adam, though not in this film (more on that later), we finally found out who would step in to play the odd hero for his first solo film in October 2017: Chuck star Zachary Levi. This isn't his first foray into the world of superhero movies, either. Levi also played Fandral in the last two Thor films, but this will be his first time leading a superhero movie.

Billy Batson (Asher Angel)

As we discussed in the previous section, you can't have Shazam! without Billy Batson, the teen who the Wizard entrusts with superpowers that allow him to become an adult hero. In early November 2017, the film finally cast the role of young Billy, and it found him in Disney Channel star Asher Angel. As for how Billy will be portrayed in the film, director David F. Sandberg has confirmed that the version of Billy most recently used in the comics during the New 52 era won't be in the movie. So, instead of "huge dickhead" Billy Batson, we'll be treated to a more traditional take on the character, with him being fun and happy-go-lucky this time around.

Shazam! - The Wizard (Djimon Hounsou)

The origins of the entity who gave Shazam! and Black Adam their powers are steeped in mystery. In a story from the 1980s, it was explained that 5,000 years ago, he was a shepherd who was chosen to be the ancient superhero the Champion. Centuries later, now going by the name Shazam!, the wizard passed along his power to Teth-Adam, but when Adam abused his powers, it wasn't until millennia later that he decided to trust another with his power. That person was Billy Batson, but soon after he transformed the boy into Captain Marvel, he was killed by a falling granite block. Though dead, his spirit remained connected to his lair the Rock of Eternity (where he safeguarded the Seven Deadly Sins and other captured mystical threats), and he served as a mentor to Billy and the rest of the Marvel Family.

In the New 52, the wizard is one of seven beings who controlled magic in ancient times. In the present day, he is the only member of the council who hadn't been killed by Black Adam, and knowing he was near death, he attempted to find a person with purity of heart to inherit his power. After going through several candidates, he finally chose Billy, who helped him realize that no one's heart is truly pure, but knew that the boy has potential to be good. After transforming Billy into Shazam!, the wizard passed away.

Now that Captain Marvel has been renamed in the New 52, he shares the same name as the wizard, so it's important whenever discussing these characters to clarify which Shazam! you're talking about. As for his role in the 2019 film, it will most likely be the same as in the comics, i.e., giving Billy and Black Adam their powers, as well as possibly serving as a mentor. Expect him to be a major (if not the most important) supporting character.

While casting for the wizard wasn't confirmed for a long time, January 2018 brought the news that Ron Cephas Jones, of This Is Us fame, was in talks to play him on the big screen. When this guide was originally written, the movie had been filming for a few weeks, making it seem likely that Jones was, indeed, cast in the part. To our surprise, though, we were wrong, as official word came down around mid-July of the same year that Djimon Hounsou, who was already set to reprise his MCU role as Korath in Captain Marvel, and was also playing one of the leaders of the seven undersea kingdoms in Aquaman, would actually take on the part of the ancient magic man who gives Billy's his powers.

Black Adam

Millenia before Billy Batson became Captain Marvel/Shazam!, the ancient wizard Shazam! chose another to be his champion. That person was Kahndaqian (previously Egyptian) Teth-Adam. Adam also shouts "Shazam!" to turn into his superpowered form, but the letters in the word represent the Egyptian gods: S for the Stamina of Shu; H for the Swiftness of Heru; A for the Strength of Amon; Z for the Wisdom of Zehuti; A for the Power of Anon and M for the Courage of Mehen. After he becomes corrupted by his power (in the New 52, Adam actually steals the power from its intended recipient, his nephew Aman), he is banished for thousands of years until he is freed from his confinement in the present. Originally, in the pre-New 52 universe, Adam's descendant Theo Adam said, "Shazam!" to transform into Black Adam, but it was then retconned so that Teth-Adam/Black Adam are their own individuals, though Black Adam rarely transforms back into his human form.

Although Black Adam was originally written as a stereotypical supervillain bent on world domination and all that jazz, over the years he has evolved into an anti-hero who wants to do what's best for his people, but his methods are more brutal than what most superheroes are comfortable doing. This is the characterization we will see in the DCEU. Dwayne Johnson has stated that like the New 52 version, the DCEU Black Adam will be a former slave, which has made him very angry. So while he will be a "bad guy" in the sense that he will battling the protagonist at some point, he can't be classified as evil.

Now, here's where some confusion comes in. It was originally thought that Black Adam would serve as the primary antagonist for Shazam! in this film, with the character also being spun off into his own film, which would see him transition from an antagonist to someone who is keen on doing the right thing, but who just happens to get in a lot of fights in the process. It was later decided, however, that Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam would actually not make his debut in Shazam!, but in his own proposed solo movie. That will leave some unknown future film to finally give audiences the battle of wills and superpowers that will result when the two beefy heroes meet.

The Story

It took around four years, but plot details have been revealed about Shazam!. With principal photography beginning at the end of January 2018, we were finally given an idea of what the overall storyline for the movie would be, and we're pleased to say that the story is a classic origin tale that features many aspects of the comics. Take a look at the synopsis released by Warner Bros.:

So, we'll see Billy playing around with his newfound superpowers to figure out just how crazy powerful he is, and then, hopefully, getting used to what he can do enough to take down Dr. Sivana and whatever minions (supervillains always have minions) he has causing trouble all over the place. Since the Wizard will play a definite part in this story, maybe audiences will also get some details regarding his background, and magic as a whole in the DCEU. After Wonder Woman, Shazam! is the next best film to go down this path.

Doctor Sivana (Mark Strong)

With Black Adam no longer a part of Shazam!, the superhero movie has moved on to the next logical character to pit against the World's Mightiest Mortal: Doctor Thaddeus Sivana, who first appeared in 1940's Whiz Comics #2, the same book in which Captain Marvel debuted. While Black Adam has the brawn to go toe-to-toe with Captain Marvel/Shazam!, Sivana usually relies on his scientific mind, sending his unusual experiments and creations to cause trouble for the hero. In the comics he rarely did physical battle because of how weak he was typically portrayed, but it was made very clear by Shazam!'s second trailer that this version of Sivana will be a physical force for the Big Red Cheese to deal with his first time out.

Mark Strong, who played Sinestro in the ill-fated Green Lantern film and Merlin in the Kingsman series, has signed on to portray Sivana in Shazam!. According to what Strong had to say about his training for the part in January 2018, it sounds like they're planning to adapt Sivana's New 52 reintroduction. There, Sivana was responsible for accidentally awakening Black Adam during his search to find a magical solution to save his family from unknown circumstances (perfectly setting up Black Adam for Shazam! 2), and he also gained some meta-human abilities after getting struck in the face with some magical lightning.

DC Extended Universe Connection

Shortly before Shazam!'s release date was officially announced, New Line Cinema president Toby Emmerich mentioned that the movie would have a "tone unto itself." This led some to wonder if Shazam! would exist separately from the other DC films. DC Comics eventually clarified the situation in December 2014 by confirming that Shazam! will exist in the DCEU, so we can expect to see the World's Mightiest Mortal flying in the same world as the other heroes. Given the character's history, though, we can also expect the film to be more lighthearted than most of DC's cinematic fare, and star Zachary Levi has likened the movie to the Tom Hanks classic Big.

Despite his connection to many DC superheroes, Shazam! did not appear in Justice League, even though he's a member of the team in the comics. And, since there's been no word on other DCEU heroes appearing in Shazam!, fans are wondering how this movie will connect to the other DC films that have come before it. The answer, it seems, lies mainly with an action sequence set in a toy store. According to news from a set report, this scene will feature stuffed toy versions of other DC characters like Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman. In addition, Billy's new foster brother Freddie will be obsessed with the world's heroes in the movie, giving us lots of references there.

Supporting Characters

Like most of DC's biggest heroes, Shazam!/Captain Marvel has a diverse group of supporting characters by his side, several of whom are superheroes in their own right. The two primary members of the Marvel/Shazam! family are Mary Bromfield and Freddy Freeman. Mary, originally Billy's long-lost twin sister, was also given her powers by the wizard Shazam!, meaning that she utters the same word as Billy to turn into Mary Marvel. The film will see Mary played by Annabelle: Creation actress Grace Fulton. In Freddy's case, he was given his powers directly from Captain Marvel after being critically injured by a supervillain, and as a result has to say "Captain Marvel" to become Captain Marvel Jr. IT actor Jack Dylan Grazer will play Freddie in the film; the character is Billy's best friend and (for a time, anyway) the only one who knows the truth about Shazam!.

The movie will also be including the rest of Billy's foster family from the New 52, which consists of Mary and Freddy, as well as new additions Eugene, Darla and Pedro. Ian Chen, of ABC's comedy Fresh Off the Boat, will play Eugene, while Jovan Armand from The Middle portrays Pedro. This Is Us actress Faithe Herman has also been confirmed for Shazam!, and although her character wasn't given, it's a safe assumption that she'll be playing Darla, the youngest member of Billy's siblings.

In the comics, each of Billy's foster siblings were briefly given powers during Shazam!'s fight with Black Adam (as seen above), but these were temporary. If Mary, Freddy and the others do become superheroes in the DCEU, that will probably be saved for future films, especially since Shazam! won't feature any tussles with Black Adam.

If you're wondering who's going to be in charge of all these foster kids, well, Shazam! isn't going to let them fend for themselves on the big screen. Cooper Andrews, from The Walking Dead, has been cast in the role of their guardian, Victor Vasquez, who will care for the large family along with his wife Rosa, who'll be played by Spanish actress Marta Milans. The film cast almost 80 roles, so it's good to know that Billy will have a solid foster family behind him to help him deal with his new, double life.

We can see how all of these intriguing pieces fit together when Shazam! opens in just a few days, on April 5, 2019!

It's Captain Marvel's big opening weekend, but don't forget about the other Captain Marvel. Zachary Levi has made it clear he has nothing but support for the MCU movie, but he's also very excited for fans to see his DC movie Shazam! Levi is a funny guy, but he got serious for about 85% of the caption for this photo with his young Shazam! co-stars Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer:

You heard it from the superhero, kids -- dentures don't pay for themselves!

Zachary Levi seems to be having a great time promoting this movie with his young co-stars. They've been doing interviews and promos together, and that promotion will probably kick into high gear in the weeks ahead of Shazam!'s April 5 release.

In the movie, Asher Angel plays young Billy Batson, who is chosen by Djimon Hounsou's wizard to receive superpowers when Billy speaks the sorcerer's name, Shazam. Saying the name transforms Billy into an adult superhero, played by Zachary Levi. Jack Dylan Grazer plays Freddy, Billy's best friend and foster brother. They are the main characters in the movie, with Mark Strong as villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

Shazam! recently screened for critics, and director David F. Sandberg is definitely keeping an eye on the reviews out there. Thankfully the early reviews so far have been very positive, praising the humor, action, and even the family emotion.

Shazam! is in an interesting position. For DC, it's arriving after the record-breaking success of Aquaman. That's not only the top-grossing DCEU movie, it's the top DC movie ever. Shazam! is also closely following Captain Marvel, which has already made close to half a billion in its first week, worldwide. Shazam! is also closely preceding Avengers: Endgame, which is expected to basically print its own money.

Early box office estimates for Shazam! suggest it could make around $50 million over its opening weekend. Could be higher (could be lower). We'll see in less than a month.

But, you know, everyone seems to be rooting for Shazam! I haven't had a chance to see it yet, but it looks like a great time. I fully expect to be as charmed by Zachary Levi's performance as I have been by his social media promotion. If it doesn't turn out that way, I'll be disappointed, but it doesn't seem like it would be the end of the world for anyone involved. They all had a great time making the movie, but the stakes don't seem as heavy and serious as they did for previous films. The whole experience feels light and fun.

Shazam! opens in theaters on April 5, as one of the many major movies opening in 2019. Keep up with all things DCEU in our handy guide.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains massive spoilers about Stephen King's novel, IT, as well as director Andres Muschietti's adaptation. If you have not read the book and/or haven't seen the movie, and don't wish to know details of the story, you may want to check out another one of our wonderful articles!

For years it was said that Stephen King's IT was an unfilmmable novel -- but director Andres Muschietti has proven that idea to be very wrong. While it's true that the entire story couldn't be crammed into just one movie, the filmmaker did an impressive job bringing to life half of the epic in his adaptation, and now audiences are hotly anticipating the follow-up, IT Chapter Two. And that's the project that we're here today to discuss.

IT has managed to become one of the most successful horror movies of all time, and, as such, the sequel has quickly started moving through development. But when will it come out? Who is going to be at the helm? What can we expect from the main characters? We'll dive into all of that and more below and on the next few pages, so read on and learn What We Know So Far about IT Chapter Two!

What Is IT Chapter Two's Release Date?

When IT was released in 2016, Warner Bros. had ideas about a sequel, but they also weren't confident enough in the possibility to carve out a release date for the project. That changed very fast when the the film had the biggest horror movie opening of all time, and now we know that IT Chapter Two will be hitting theaters everywhere on September 6, 2019.

Despite the many limitations of a fall release - specifically the fact that families around the country are busy getting their kids back to school - the first IT did spectacularly when it came out in September 2017, so it's very little surprise that Warner Bros. would go back to that well for the follow-up. As for why the turnaround is so fast, surely part of it is because the studio wants to capitalize on success as quickly as possible - but the other major issue is the cast of young stars who are growing older and more mature every day.

What Will IT Chapter Two Be Rated?

Andres Muschietti's IT may feature child actors in almost all of the main roles, but the film is hardly made for movie-goers of the stars' age set. Unlike the 1990 miniseries that had to be somewhat censored due to network television restrictions, the movie fully leans into the profanity and violence that is featured in the original novel, and the MPAA delivered it an R rating as a result. And, while we can't say with absolute certainty just yet what the final grade will be on IT Chapter Two, there is less than a one percent chance that it's anything other than R.

The reality is that the MPAA doesn't deliver ratings until a theatrical cut is put together and near ready to go to theaters, so it will be a while before anything is made official. That being said, Andres Muschietti was very clear with his intentions to make his version of IT an R-rated adaptation, and there is no reason to believe that there will be a change of heart in that department when the sequel gets made (especially because the R-rating proved to not be an issue when box office figures were collected).

What Will IT Chapter Two Be About?

As alluded to earlier, IT was an adaptation of only half of Stephen King's original novel. The book's narrative actually takes place across two different time periods: the late 1950s, when the main characters are children; and the mid-1980s, when the main characters are 40-year-old adults. Obviously the first film exclusively focused on the kids (changing the setting to 1989), but IT Chapter Two will be centered around the adults and take place in the year 2016.

The story will pick up 27 years after the first movie (in case you couldn't do that math yourself), and will find The Losers Club forced to reunite in Derry, Maine when they learn that It has returned and started a new killing spree. With the exception of Mike, who stayed behind in the town while everyone else left, all of the Losers completely forget about what happened to them as kids, and find their memories start to return when they get back to the haunted burb.

It should be noted that while IT took on a completely linear narrative, that will not be the case for IT Chapter Two. As noted earlier, it has been confirmed that the young stars of the first movie -- Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Jack Dylan Glazer -- will all be back for the sequel, and will be featured in flashback sequences that reveal more about the nature of It and how the evil entity can be defeated.

Who Will Direct IT Chapter Two?

IT was a film that was notably in the works for a long time under writer/director Cary Fukunaga, but when that fell apart due to behind-the-scenes issues, Andres Muschietti was the director that Warner Bros. decided to call. It was a fairly risky proposition for the company, putting the brand in the hands of a filmmaker who had only made one movie - 2013's Mama - but Muschietti wound up absolutely killing it, and will be back at the wheel steering things for IT Chapter Two.

The Argentinian filmmaker has repeatedly talked about his vision for how IT Chapter Two would play out, going back to when the first movie was still in production, and given the box office numbers that IT put up it was impossible to believe that Warner Bros. would bring on anybody else to make the follow-up. Thankfully, they made the right call, and Andres Muschietti will be able to fully complete his vision of Stephen King's terrifying world.

Bill Denbrough

Stephen King really loves to write about writers (see: The Shining, Misery, Salem's Lot, The Dark Half, etc.) and IT is one of the many titles in that trend. Specifically, Bill Denbrough grows up to leave Derry and become a best-selling horror author -- one whose books have been repeatedly adapted for the movies (sound familiar?). He completely loses his stutter, and gets married to the beautiful actress Audra Phillips, who we eventually learn bears a striking resemblance to Beverly Marsh. When he learns that he is needed back in Derry to take on Pennywise again, his stutter returns, and he is forced to abandon the London set of a film for which he wrote the script, asking Audra to cover for him. She does, but also winds up following him to the United States, which results in grave consequences.

Bill is the true leader of The Losers Club and the one that all of the others look up to -- but he is hardly without his own personal demons. Into adulthood he remains ever haunted by what happened to his brother, Georgie, as he believes that it was his fault and that it completely tore his family apart. Subconsciously, his work stems from the trauma he experienced when his young sibling was killed by Pennywise, and it remains fodder for It when Bill returns to his hometown.

Actor Jaeden Lieberher went on the record saying that he wanted to see The Dark Knight star Christian Bale take on the challenging part of Bill Denbrough in IT Chapter Two, but the production has landed a different comic book movie star instead. The man who plays young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, James McAvoy, has been tapped to play the adult version of Stuttering Bill, making it the first time he's done a Stephen King adaptation. It isn't, however, the first time that he's had the chance to work with the new sequel's female lead...

Beverly Marsh

Played by Sophia Lillis, Beverly Marsh gets one of the few complete arcs among the members of The Losers Club in IT -- particularly in the realm of overcoming the advances of her horrible, abusive father. She also finally ignites the spark between herself and Bill Denbrough, giving him the kiss she's always wanted to deliver. Unfortunately it's in their last moment together before she moves out of town and they don't see one another for another 27 years.

Beverly Marsh winds up being a woman trapped, going from one abusive relationship to the next. In Stephen King's book, Beverly marries a man named Tom Rogan, who shares some vile traits with her father, and finds occasion to beat her with his belt when he believes she is disobeying him. Despite this, however, Beverly is living well, making a home in Chicago as a well-known fashion designer. It's noteworthy that she also never fully forgets Bill, as she happens to be a fan of his books while basically only remembering that they grew up together. Their shared spark returns after they reunite in Derry to stop the return of Pennywise.

There was a good amount of debate surrounding who should play adult Beverly in IT Chapter Two, with Amy Adams getting a lot of mention, but Sophia Lillis said that she wanted the part to be played by Jessica Chastain... and she actually got her wish. Chastain notably not only previously worked with Andres Muschietti on his directorial debut, Mama, but, as alluded to, has already worked a lot with star James McAvoy. Not only did they make X-Men: Dark Phoenix together, but also the trio of films known as The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.

Mike Hanlon

Because they managed to escape the wretched, evil den that is Derry, Maine, six out of the seven members of The Losers Club go on to be immensely successful professionals -- but Mike Hanlon is the exception. As the group member with the deepest ties to the town, he designated himself as the Watchmen, and stayed behind in Derry to make sure that It would not come back following its defeat. Unfortunately, Mike discovers that the Losers were not able to completely kill the evil entity, and he winds up calling all of his former friends back so that they can take on Pennywise once again, as they promised they would.

While a good chunk of Mike's role within the group was taken by Ben in Andres Muschietti's IT (as he is really meant to be the future historian of the seven kids), it has been confirmed that Mike will be the one to stay behind in Derry in IT Chapter Two, and will age rather horribly as a result. What's more, the director has said that his vision of adult Mike will be a librarian who is also a functioning heroin addict, using the drugs to help him deal with the suppressive evil of the town.

Chosen Jacobs, who plays young Mike in IT, has said that he would love to see Chadwick Boseman be the actor to take on the seriously dark role, but it would appear that Boseman, perhaps, is a bit too busy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, the role of adult Mike Hanlon will be played by Isaiah Mustafa, who is probably best known for his time as the Old Spice spokesperson, but has recently been starring on the television series Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments for three seasons.

Ben Hanscom

Outside of his love for Beverly Marsh and the music of New Kids On The Block, Ben Hanscom is portrayed as an immensely smart young man by Jeremy Ray Taylor in IT, and should IT Chapter Two follow Stephen King's book he will wind up going into a very profitable field. Andres Muschietti doesn't really showcase any of Ben's impressive engineering prowess in the movie, but the version of the character from the novel grows up to be one of the world's best known architects, living in Nebraska. He's single and unattached when he gets the call from Mike that he is needed back in Derry for a second round with It, but he is nonetheless stressed out -- featured in a sequence where he downs a full stein of Wild Turkey in the span of a few minutes.

One significant change that Ben goes through on his way to adulthood is that he also becomes impressively fit. While he is notoriously singled out as the "fat kid" among the members of The Losers Club, an encounter with some bullies and a horrible gym teacher during his teen years inspires him to totally change, lose weight, and become the fastest kid in his school. I'll say it now: it would be crazy if this story were not included in IT Chapter Two.

It was the story of impressive weight loss that may have inspired Jeremy Ray Taylor to choose Chris Pratt for the role of adult Ben Hanscom, as the actor famously got in great shape so that he could be in fighting form to star in Guardians of the Galaxy, but the stars didn't align on that one. Instead, the part has gone to Kiwi actor Jay Ryan - who is probably the least-known actor among the adults in the ensemble. His work on the big screen has been limited, but has has done a lot of television work, including the CW's Beauty and the Beast and Top of the Lake.

Richie Tozier

Finn Wolfhard's interpretation of Richie Tozier isn't exactly like the character in the book, as he doesn't really do as many ridiculous "Voices" -- but what they definitely do share in common is foul minds and motor mouths. He is definitely the funniest member of The Losers Club, but he also has a spectacular knack for getting people pissed off at him. All the same, his sense of humor winds up taking him far in the novel, as he becomes a member of the entertainment industry living in Los Angeles.

The adult version of Richie Tozier in the 1990 miniseries, played by Harry Anderson, was portrayed as a TV host, but Stephen King's character is a successful DJ who bails on an interview with Clarence Clemons of The E Street Band so that he can fly back to Maine and reunite with his childhood friends. They are both delighted and dismayed to discover that his sense of humor has not dissipated with age.

Making what many have argued is a rather perfect choice, Finn Wolfhard suggested that Bill Hader should be given the part of Richie in IT Chapter Two - and like the case with Jessica Chastain, the filmmakers simply couldn't make a better choice themselves. Hader will indeed play adult Richie Tozier in the sequel, getting to play more serious drama like he does on his HBO series Barry and like he did in the movie The Skeleton Twins.

Eddie Kaspbrak

Adult Eddie Kaspbrak actually winds up sharing a lot in common with adult Beverly Marsh in Stephen King's IT, as while both do very well in their respective business fields, their lives are also anchored by memories of their terrible parents. While Tom Rogan is a reflection of Beverly's horribly abusive dad, Eddie winds up marrying a woman exactly like his mom: overweight, overprotective, and regularly trying to stifle her husband's life.

Things in the story could certainly change in IT Chapter Two (the 1990 miniseries had Eddie still living with his mom), but the Stephen King-written version lives in Chicago and operates an oddly well-performing car service (he forces his wife to take a gig with Al Pacino so that he can leave for Derry). It is perhaps because the memory of his mother still lingers in his wife that he remains dependent on his aspirator, despite being told as a child that it is just a placebo.

Jack Dylan Grazer picked Jake Gyllenhaal as the actor he wanted to see play adult Eddie, which would have been great, but instead IT Chapter Two has signed popular character actor James Ransone for the part. While you may not know his name, you probably know his face, as he's been consistently working in the industry for nearly 20 years now. One of his first gigs was as Chester 'Ziggy' Sobotka on The Wire, but more recently he's appeared in both Sinister movies, and the Amazon television series Bosch.

Stan Uris

While Mike Hanlon places six calls to the members of The Losers Club in Stephen King's novel, only five of them actually make their way to Derry, Maine. This is because Stan Uris -- a successful accountant living in Atlanta, Georgia -- decides not to go and make good on the promise that he made to his friends as a kid. Instead, much to his wife's surprise, Stan responded to the phone call by going to the second floor bathroom of his house, running a bath, and killing himself by slitting his wrists with a razor. Before he dies, he uses his blood to write the word "IT" on the bathroom wall. Bill and Mike ultimately blame the entity for Stan's fate, but it's never entirely confirmed what happened.

The description of Stan's death is featured only a few chapters into IT, so it will be interesting to see how his role will be handled in IT Chapter Two. Could the sequel pull a bait and switch on book fans and have a different character take the fate of Stan? If not, an adult version of him could also be used by Pennywise to haunt the living Losers, which would make the role at least a little more substantial.

Wyatt Oleff, who brought Stan to life in IT, interestingly played a kid version of a Chris Pratt character as young Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but the actor instead told us that he wants to see the part of adult Stan go to Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Given the size of the role, that was probably never going to happen, and instead the part has gone to Andy Bean - a relative newcomer whose parts include a recurring role on the show Power, and an unnamed lawyer in Transformers: The Last Knight.

Pennywise The Dancing Clown a.k.a. It

Actor Bill Skarsgard did a tremendous job bringing Pennywise The Dancing Clown to life in IT -- sporting a very different look than the Tim Curry version and inspiring new nightmares all the same. At the end of the film he was obviously defeated by The Losers Club, given a nice beating in his physical form and forced to hibernate early down in the drains of Derry -- but he will be back with a new spirit of vengeance in IT Chapter Two.

Certain elements of It were left out of the children side of the story, including all mentions of the entity's moral counterbalance, The Turtle, but Andres Muschietti has spoken about getting more into the existence of It and its nature in the upcoming sequel. This could lead the blockbuster into some truly trippy areas, so we can't wait to see how the filmmaker goes about portraying It's true form, the deadlights, and the macroverse.

Henry Bowers

IT a.k.a. Pennywise is unquestionably the primary antagonist in Andres Muschietti and Stephen King's IT, but Henry Bowers (played by Nicholas Hamilton) does repeatedly do his part to totally fuck with The Losers Club's individual lives. A violent bully raised by an abusive father, he takes immense pleasure in making the lives of Bill, Beverly, Ben, Mike, Stan, Eddie and Richie hell, and becomes a useful tool of It as a result. Of course, this doesn't end too well for him in the movie, as after killing his father he falls down a long well in the basement of the Neibolt House following a showdown with Mike.

Assuming that Henry survived this fall, Stephen King's book suggests things won't go well for him as an adult in IT Chapter Two. Rather than becoming a fully-functioning member of society, he instead winds up spending most of his adult life in Juniper Hills Asylum -- a home for the criminally insane. It is with the help of It, who speaks to Henry through the moon, that he escapes this institution and makes his way back to Derry to get his revenge on his old school chums. In addition to featuring the return of Nicholas Hamilton, the upcoming movie has cast actor Teach Grant as adult Henry Bowers, and hopefully he'll have what it takes to scare the crap out of audiences

The casting process for IT Chapter Two has been a marathon, not a sprint. Slowly the adult counterparts of The Losers Club have been revealed to the eager public, everyone wondering if any of the A-list suggestions that have been flying furiously since IT debuted in theaters would be confirmed. As such, the results have been mostly surprises, with a couple of no-brainers locked in and some genius picks coming from the unknown. With all members locked in, we can now take a look at the main cast that will be taking the stage in IT Chapter Two.

Pennywise

Played By: Bill Skarsgard

Naturally, the reunion of the Losers Club isn't something that happens out of thin air. Rather, it's a reaction to events happening in Derry that strike a similar chord to something they've dealt with before. Basically, Pennywise comes back, to the shock and awe of exactly no one, and the crew needs to stop him. With his chilling turn in IT's stunning first chapter, Bill Skarsgard was definitely a must to bring back, and something that's just too damned good not to mention.

Bill Denbrough

Played In Chapter 1 By: Jaeden Lieberher

Played In Chapter 2 By: James McAvoy

The leader of the Losers Club, Bill Denbrough kept the team together as a teenager, even while harboring a crazy serious personal grudge against Pennywise. Decades later, Jaeden Lieberher's intrepid character will age into the face of well regarded star James McAvoy. Coming off of his work in Glass, as well as the forthcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix, McAvoy's casting is not only a fantastic addition, but also a welcomed reunion with a fellow co-star...

Beverly Rogan, nee Marsh

Played In Chapter 1 By: Sophia Lillis

Played In Chapter 2 By: Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain's casting as Beverly Marsh (or Beverly Rogan, by time we meet her in IT Chapter Two) is rather spectacular for two reasons. The first is that her casting as the female soul of the Losers Club reunites her with director Andy Muschietti, with whom she shares horror history with after starring in 2011's Mama. The second reason is perhaps even more exciting, as it will also be a reunion with James McAvoy - with whom she co-starred in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby as well as the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Ben Hanscom

Played In Chapter 1 By: Jeremy Ray Taylor

Played In Chapter 2 By: Jay Ryan

If the Harry Potter series was around during the time of the Losers Club's inception, they'd definitely say that Ben Hascom is the Neville Longbottom of the group. Starting as a chubby, but adorably heart strong hero, 27 years turns this young man into one hell of a hunk. That hunk will come in the form of Jay Ryan, who is best known as the Beast in The CW's Beauty and The Beast reboot. If Bill isn't careful, this new hearthrob might just steal Bev from under his nose.

Richie Tozer

Played In Chapter 1 By: Finn Wolfhard

Played In Chapter 2 By: Bill Hader

A clown prince at heart, if there was a joke to be told in the Loser Club's various meetings, it was most likely coming from the mouth of Richie Tozer. Starting out played by Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, IT Chapter Two will see Richie morphing into Bill Hader with the result of 27 years of aging. Recently seen in HBO's Barry, Hader will get to once more work on his melding of comic delivery and killer combat skills.

Mike Hanlon

Played In Chapter 1 By: Chosen Jacobs

Played In Chapter 2 By: Isaiah Mustafa

An amateur historian of Derry's various historical quirks and quandaries, Mike Hanlon is the one person in the entire gang that stayed behind when all was said and done. Chosen Jacobs originated the role in the first IT, and the final casting announcement for The Losers Club revealed that Shadowhunters cast member/former Old Spice guy Isaiah Mustafa has been cast as the grown, and more troubled version of Mike's character. If that's not a good get, then we don't know what is.

Eddie Kaspbrak

Played In Chapter 1 By: Jack Dylan Grazer

Played In Chapter 2 By: James Ransone

A hypercondriac at heart, Eddie Kaspbrak feels like he just barely made it out of IT. Facing another round of Pennywise's taunts might just be too much for this young man to withstand almost 30 years after those early encounters, but he will certainly do his best to face his fears. When he returns Eddie will look a lot like a certain deputy from the Sinister series, as James Ransone has now gone from Deputy So-and-So to a warrior against yet another supernatural evil.

Stanley Uris

Played In Chapter 1 By: Wyatt Oleff

Played In Chapter 2 By: Andy Bean

Another one of the more nervous members of the Losers Club, Stanley Uris' anxiety never really goes away after the events of IT. So to follow Wyatt Oleff's younger performance with Andy Bean playing the older Stanley is a particularly fantastic occurrence, considering their facial resemblance. As you'll see above, Bean is pretty damned close to what an aged Stanely would look like. Best known for his role as Greg in the Starz drama Power, Bean looks to be launching into the big time with his role in IT Chapter Two.

Henry Bowers

Played In Chapter 1 By: Nicholas Hamilton

Played In Chapter 2 By: Teach Grant

The world of IT isn't finished with bully Henry Bowers, as the murder of his father puts him into a mental institution at the end of the earlier half of the story. Should IT Chapter Two keep this portion of the narrative, Nicholas Hamilton's portrayal of the younger Henry will need a new actor to take on the role in the piece of the story that takes place almost 30 years later. Taking up the role of Henry's older, incarcerated self is actor Teach Grant, best known for his work on TV shows such as Zoo, iZombie, and most recently Netflix's Altered Carbon.

Audra Phillips

When we catch up to Bill Denbrough in IT Chapter Two, we'll see him not only as a successful author, but also a loving husband to Audra Phillips. We won't be the only ones to notice her though, as the film will see her inadvertently become part of the battle to stop Pennywise's resurgence of terror. Talk about your weird coincidences, as Jess Weixler, the woman cast to bring Audra to the big screen, was also in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby - which starred her on-screen husband, James McAvoy, as well as his childhood crush, Jessica Chastain. Though primarily Weixler is remembered for her role in the indie horror comedy Teeth, in addition to a recurring role on CBS's The Good Wife.

Adrian Mellon

Whenever a great villain of literature or film returns, they need to leave a calling card. In the case of Pennywise, his return to Derry is marked by the murder of a young man, which is later attributed to the gang of hoods who were harassing him for being a homosexual. That unfortunate young man is Adrian Mellon, whose unfortunate demise has been confirmed to be featured in IT Chapter Two, with writer / director / actor triple threat Xavier Dolan playing the role of Adrian. Dolan is primarily known as a writer / director, having created such films as Mommy, and most recently The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.

Tom Rogan

While Beverly Marsh may have escaped her abusive father after the events of IT, she never escaped the cloud of abuse at the hands of a man she was supposed to trust. That's where Tom Rogan comes in, as he's the new force of pain in Bev's life, as her husband and her tormentor. Cast in the role of one of IT Chapter Two's antagonists is actor Will Beinbrink, who was most notably seen in USA's Queen of the South, NBC's Revolution, and the Hank Williams Sr. biopic I Saw The Light. But if you're looking to add to your tally of cast members Andy Muschietti has cribbed from The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, you can add another mark to the list with Beinbrink's casting.

With Shazam only a few months away from beginning production, casting announcements connected to the movie starring the hero formerly known as Captain Marvel have been rolling in. Zachary Levi will play the World's Mightiest Mortal, Asher Angel will play the young Billy Batson, Grace Fulton has been cast in an undisclosed role and Mark Strong is being eyed to play the lead antagonist, Dr. Sivana. Now we can added another name to this lineup, as IT actor Jack Dylan Grazer has been brought in to play one of Billy's key allies, Freddy Freeman.

Introduced in 1941's Whiz Comics #25, Freddy Freeman has been a longtime member of the Marvel family, and now we know that he'll be just as tight with Shazam on the big screen. Deadline reports that Jack Dylan Grazer's Freddy is Billy Batson's best friend and "the only person who knows the truth about Shazam." Admittedly, the report didn't include Freddy's last name, but given how important Freddy Freeman has been in the Shazam comics over the decades, one can reasonably surmise that this is the same individual. Grazer starred in IT as Eddie Kasbrak earlier this year, and Shazam will ideally help boost his profile further.

Besides being one of Billy Batson's closest friends, Freddy Freeman is also one of the other benevolent recipients of the Shazam power. When Freddy was originally introduced, Shazam saved from being killed by Captain Nazi. However, Freddy's injuries were more severe than expected, so after consulting The Wizard, Billy lent some of his power to Freddy to keep him alive. And from there, whenever Freddy said, "Captain Marvel!", he would turn into Captain Marvel Jr., who has all the same abilities as the Big Red Cheese, just like Mary Marvel.

Over the years, Freddy subsequently went on many superhero adventures, both solo and with the Marvel Family, though when he reverts to human form, he is permanently crippled and must walk with a crutch. In the New 52 reboot, Freddy was part of the adoptive family that Billy joined, and when Shazam shared his power with his new siblings during his battle with Black Adam, Freddy turned into a Captain Marvel Jr.-analogous hero. Outside of the comics, Freddy's most notable appearance has been in a Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode.

No specific plot details for Shazam have been revealed yet other than that it will likely be an origin story and depict his conflict with Dr. Sivana. Because we're seeing Billy Batson's first superhero adventure, it seems unlikely that we'll see Freddy receive Shazam-like powers, as we wouldn't want the focus diverted from our titular character. Then again, depending on how much the New 52 influences this movie, perhaps Freddy will be temporarily empowered with Billy's other friends during the climactic conflict.

Shazam doesn't have a specific release date yet, although director David F. Sandberg has said that the movie could be ready by April 2019. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress, and look through our DC movies guide to lear what other DCEU projects are coming down the pipeline.

As portrayed by Bill Skarsgard in Andres Muschietti's IT, Pennywise is a rather terrifying site. Clowns are rather creepy under normal circumstances, but there's an extra bit of fear that comes packed with knowing that he loves mutilating and eating children. Obviously he's just a character in a movie and not really an interdimensional, shapeshifting manifestation of evil, but he did still successfully manage to give some of his fellow actors the creeps. Discussing the presence of Pennywise on set, Skarsgard's young co-stars recently told me,

All seven members of The Losers Club in the new adaptation of IT - Jaeden Leiberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Sophia Lillis -- were on-hand at the Los Angles press day for the film late last month. Split into two groups, I asked them about their experiences working with Bill Skarsgard on set, and they both told me that the presence of Pennywise when cameras weren't rolling was something that they really had to adjust to when they were on set.

The IT stars who spoke to the question made it clear that being around Pennywise wasn't crazy comfortable at first -- but part of what allowed them to ease into the off-camera relationship was finding a bit of humor in his presence. Not only was it kind of silly to see Stephen King's terrifying clown wearing just a tank top instead of his full costume, Finn Wolfhard noted that he got a few laughs just watching Bill Skarsgard drink water while in full make-up. Said the young actor,

That isn't exactly behind-the-scenes footage that you want to see before seeing IT on the big screen, as it could have an effect on your feelings regarding Pennywise -- but we can certainly pray to the Movie Gods that we will see at least a moment of that bit of ridiculousness on the Blu-ray.

As for the actual conversations that the young actors would have with Bill Skarsgard, they were tinged by their own bit of weirdness as well. Jack Dylan Glazer told me that Skarsgard was a bit aloof just because Pennywise isn't supposed to have an amazing relationship with the Losers Club; though Jaeden Leiberher recounted talks where the elder performer seemed to forget what he actually looked like:

You can watch the IT stars talk about their experiences working alongside Bill Skarsgard by clicking play on the video below.

I've shared a lot from my interviews with the IT stars and filmmakers so far -- including actor suggestions for the sequel, the bizarre trick Bill Skarsgard was able to bring to the role of Pennywise, and the funny prank the kids pulled mid-production -- but I'm far from done! Be on the lookout for more this week and next, and catch the new horror featurein theaters this Friday, September 8th.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains very minor spoilers about Stephen King's novel, IT. If you haven't read or are unfamiliar with the the book, and don't wish to know any details before seeing the upcoming film, please bookmark this page and return after your screening!

When director Andy Muschietti's IT arrives in theaters on September 8th, audiences will have the opportunity to watch not only a great horror movie, but what is also really only half of Stephen King's epic original novel. While the new film entirely focuses on the protagonists' battle against the titular entity when they are children, it leaves the book's adult-centric storyline waiting for a sequel to be made. Exactly when we can expect this project to get off the ground remains a mystery, but there is a specific group of individuals who have already been doing a great deal of thinking about the follow-up: the young stars of the upcoming blockbuster.

This weekend I participated in the domestic press day for IT in Los Angeles, and during the event had the opportunity to sit down with Finn Wolfhard (Richie), Chosen Jacobs (Mike), Wyatt Oleff (Stanley), Jaeden Lieberher (Bill), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben), Sophia Lillis (Beverly) and Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie). At the end of our discussion, I specifically asked if they had been thinking about the actors who should play the adult versions of their characters in IT: Chapter 2, and there was zero hesitation in their responses. So who would we see in this fantasy version of the sequel (which would probably double the budget)? Read on to find out!

Christian Bale as Bill

When we catch up with Bill in the second half of Stephen King's IT, he has managed to become a successful horror writer -- crafting fictional tales of terror while putting memories of his time with The Losers Club battling Pennywise behind him. When the group comes back together, however, Bill once again takes his position as unofficial leader, and that's certainly a job that could be well handled by Batman himself, Christian Bale.

Given that he is already 43 years old, Christian Bale would definitely be on the older side of the age spectrum within the IT: Chapter 2 cast proposed here -- but A) it's not really enough time to matter in Hollywood terms, and B) we're talking about an actor who is famous for his physical transformations. Bale would certainly do a great job with the evolution Bill undergoes through the story, and he won't even have to change his natural appearance that much to look like a grown-up Jaeden Lieberher.

Chadwick Boseman as Mike

While it's the disappearance/death of the young Georgie that really kick-starts the plot in the first half of Stephen King's IT, it's Mike who is ultimately responsible for bringing The Losers Club back together to battle Pennywise as adults. Unlike the other six in the group, Mike is the only one who stays in Derry, Maine -- which also puts him in the unfortunate position of alerting his friends that the evil entity they thought was destroyed is still alive and kicking 27 years later.

For his pick, Chosen Jacobs confidently suggested Chadwick Boseman for the part -- the actor set to turn 41 later this year. Boseman is certainly no stranger to high-profile roles both in the non-fiction (42, Get On Up, Marshall) and fiction (Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther) realms, and IT: Chapter 2 could set him up with a meaty role.

Jessica Chastain as Beverly

Sophia Lillis' choice for adult Beverly in IT: Chapter 2 is a smart one -- and not only because Jessica Chastain is an amazing actor, the right age for the role, and sports the proper hair color. Back in 2013, Chastain actually worked with Andy Muschietti on his feature directorial debut, Mama, and it would make plenty of sense that the filmmaker and star would reunite for the IT sequel. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the part should be a stand-out in the blockbuster, and needs a proper talent to bring it to life.

As seen adapted in IT, Beverly has a hard life even before her first encounters with Pennywise -- largely due to her family's poverty and her abusive father. It's a childhood she has a hard time fully escaping as an adult, as while she becomes a successful fashion designer, she is also trapped in a marriage to an cruel and violent husband. Getting Mike's invite back to Derry winds up giving her the strength to start fighting back again and change her life.

Bill Hader as Richie

Of all the casting suggestions made here, this is admittedly my favorite. For the role of adult Richie, Finn Wolfhard suggested that Bill Hader be given a shot, and it's really a perfect fit. Not only is there a similarity in the looks department, as seen in the side-by-side above, but Hader's natural personality just makes him a perfect fit for the character.

As a kid, Richie stands out as a jokey loudmouth who doesn't know when to shut the hell up, but it's a gift that actually winds up suiting him well professionally. His gift for gab gets him a cushy job as a Los Angeles radio personality, where he has the freedom to be his natural comedic self. If you don't see how Bill Hader is an obvious choice here, I don't know what to tell you.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Stanley

In case you couldn't tell, we've been doing our best to keep this feature as spoiler-free as possible - both for the first half of IT and the second... but what happens to Stanley makes that a bit more of a challenge. So without getting into too much detail, we will say that the role requires portrayal of real sensitivity and emotion, which Joseph Gordon-Levitt could certainly pull off - as Wyatt Oleff suggests.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is rather picky about the projects he takes on, only appearing in one or two films per year, but hopefully he would see IT: Chapter 2 as an exciting opportunity (particularly if the production can assemble the dream ensemble that the young cast has imagined). He hasn't actually been in a horror movie since 1998's Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, so it could be a nice return to the genre for him.

Chris Pratt as Ben

Ben is mocked and tortured by bullies as a kid because of his weight, which is basically his entry ticket to The Losers Club. As an adult, however, he manages to turn his life around in that area. Not only does he become physically fit, but also finds success as an architect living in Nebraska. Unfortunately, he's still filled with plenty of demons for Pennywise to feast on when he arrives back in Derry.

Chris Pratt is essentially king among A-list actors right now, leading him to appear pretty much everywhere nowadays -- but there is an interesting extra layer that comes with Jeremy Ray Taylor's choice for adult Ben. After all, Pratt famously went from being the pudgy funny guy on Parks and Recreation to being the buff action hero lead of Guardians of the Galaxy -- so he can understand that side of the character. It also doesn't hurt that the guy is really pretty great in everything he does, which would only benefit IT: Chapter 2.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Eddie

At 36, Jake Gyllenhaal joins Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the younger end of the spectrum of this suggested cast, but the fact that the movie is probably still a few years away and that Gyllenhaal is a genius chameleon performer make Jack Dylan Grazer's idea of him playing Eddie a fantastic idea. He is arguably a bit to handsome for the part, but we have zero doubts that he could sell key emotional journey the character undergoes as an adult.

Obsessed with disease and germs courtesy of his hypochondriac mother, Eddie doesn't grow up entirely normal, and while he does manage to start a successful limousine company living in Chicago, he also marries a woman who is exactly like his overbearing mom. Even after maturing greatly as a kid during his adventures with The Losers Club, he will still have a long way to go when he returns to Derry in IT: Chapter 2, and it would be amazing to see an actor of Jake Gyllenhaal's caliber take on the challenge.

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